On Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00 pm, the Redwood Library & Athenaeum, Battle of Rhode Island Association, and NAACP Newport will celebrate Black History Month with a virtual lecture by noted Rhode Island historian and author Robert A. Geake. Mr. Geake will focus his lecture on the Black Regiment of Rhode Island that fought with distinction during the Rhode Island Campaign of 1778 and throughout the Revolutionary War. To register for the lecture via the Crowdcast Platform follow this link: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/historian-robert-geake/register

Geake is the author of 14 books on Rhode Island and New England history, including From Slaves to Soldiers: The First Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution.

 Geake currently serves as the President of the Cocumscussoc Association which maintains Smith’s Castle historic house museum in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He is a contributor to three blogs: smallstatebighistory.com, rifootprints.com, and most recently, The Cocumscussoc Review on smithscastle.org.. Geake is also a contributor to EnCompass, online tutorials for the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

The Redwood Library & Athenæum is America’s first purpose-built library (1747) and the oldest continuously operating in its original location. It has functioned for nearly 300 years as Newport’s intellectual core, a humanities center, and civic learning hub styled after ideals of ancient Athenian culture and philosophy. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

NAACP/Newport’s mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

The Battle of Rhode Island Association is committed to raising awareness of Rhode Island’s role in the War for Independence.