Diversions and Entertainments in 19th Century: Broadsides from the Newport Historical Society’s Collections
Museum and Shop at Brick Market, November 6th through January 31st.
Did you know that a Mummy was put on display in the Old Colony House? That lectures on astronomy were given in Newport’s 4th Baptist Meetinghouse? Or that the city was a center for live entertainment hosting musicals, comedies and Shakespeare’s plays? The Newport Historical Society will present the exhibit Diversions and Entertainments in 19th Century Newport, which features historic advertisements and highlights some popular forms of entertainment.
The advertisements featured in Diversions and Entertainments in 19th Century Newport, which were known as broadsides, promote the wide range of entertainments available to 19th century Newporters. The broadsides highlight how people learned about activities in town while showing how Newporters from over a hundred years ago spent their free time. Diversions and Entertainments in 19th Century Newport runs from November 6th through January 31, 2012 at the Museum of Newport History, located in the Museum & Shop at Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and is closed on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day). Museum admission is by donation; suggested donation is $4 per person.
Diversions and Entertainment in 19th Century Newport is part of the Rhode Island Center for the Book’s 2012 Art of the Book Program “Rhode Island’s Broadsides Rule!” which offers statewide exhibits and events celebrating Rhode Island’s broadside history. Participating organizations include: John Hay Library at Brown Univeristy, Pettaquamscut Historical Society, Providence Public Library at the Providence Athenaeum, Redwood Library & Athenaeum and the University of Rhode Island Special Collections. The sponsors are: Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, John Russell Bartlett Society, American Printing History Association and The Rhode Island Historical Society.