Wyndham Newport Hotel

Please join members and friends of the Museum of Newport Irish History for the 3rd talk of its 25th Annual Lecture Series with Stephen Puleo, whose lecture is titled: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Remarkable Story of America’s First Humanitarian Mission” &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The talk with Q&amp;A to follow will be presented at 6:00 p.m. in person at the Wyndham Newport Hotel and live-streamed via Zoom. • Doors open at 5:30 pm • Light hors d’oeuvres &amp; cash bar available • $10 per person fee to attend in person (cash or check @ door). • No fee/$0 to participate via Zoom. •&nbsp;Copies of Voyage of Mercy will be available for sale and signing after the talk, courtesy of <a href="https://charterbookstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Charter Books</a>
Reservations are required for both in-person and virtual participation: CLICK to reserve IN-PERSON:<a href="https://tinyurl.com/48ktfnzu" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://tinyurl.com/InPersonPreserv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/InPersonPreserv</a> CLICK to participate via ZOOM:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/virtualreserv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/virtualreserv</a>
Questions/Assistance with Reservations: Please write Ann at <a href="mailto:NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com" target="_blank">NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com</a> or phone (401) 841-5493.&nbsp; Note: If you are hosting a group of 4 or more and would like to pay by card, please contact Ann at least 24 hours BEFORE the event to make arrangements. Cards are not accepted at the door. TALK OVERVIEW: Stephen Puleo’s book VOYAGE OF MERCY&nbsp;tells the incredible story of the Great Famine, the Jamestown voyage, and the commitment of thousands of ordinary Americans to offer relief to Ireland, a groundswell that provided the collaborative blueprint for future relief efforts and established the United States as the leader in international aid. More than 5,000 ships left Ireland during the Great Potato Famine in the late 1840s, transporting the starving and the destitute away from their stricken homeland. The first vessel to sail in the other direction, to help the millions unable to escape, was the USS Jamestown, a converted warship that left Boston in March 1847, loaded with precious food for Ireland. Captain Robert Bennet Forbes and the crew of the USS Jamestown began a massive eighteen-month demonstration of soaring goodwill against the backdrop of unfathomable despair—one nation’s struggle to survive, and another’s effort to provide a lifeline. Forbes’ undertaking inspired a nationwide outpouring of relief that was unprecedented in size and scope, the first instance of an entire nation extending a hand to a foreign neighbor for purely humanitarian reasons. It showed the world that national generosity and brotherhood were not signs of weakness but displays of quiet strength and moral certitude. Through July 1848, some sixteen months after the assistance began, Americans donated a massive amount of food, more than 9,900 tons, to sustain Ireland. The humanitarian transatlantic convoy from the United States that began with Jamestown’s unprecedented voyage did not stop until upwards of 150 ships from U.S. ports delivered food, clothing, and provisions to starving Ireland.
STEPHEN PULEO is an author, historian, teacher, public speaker, and communications professional. He is the author of eight books, including his most recent, The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union, published by St. Martin’s Press in 2024, and nominated for the prestigious Mark Lynton History Prize offered by the Columbia School of Journalism and Harvard’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism. His ninth book, The Penicillin Miracle: A Deadly Fire, World War II, and the Dawn of the Antibiotics Age, will be published in late summer 2027. To learn more about his work, please visit <a href="https://www.stephenpuleo.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">StephenPuleo.com</a>. 
SERIES SPONSORS: For a list of our generous 25th Annual Lecture Series sponsors, please visit:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/lectures/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">newportirishhistory.org/lectures/</a>
ABOUT THE MUSEUM-Celebrating 30 years The Museum of Newport Irish History,
 a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501c3 organization, was founded in 1996 
and now boasts over 900 members. In addition to operating an <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Interpretive Center</a>
 on Lower Thames Street, the organization sponsors numerous educational,
 cultural, social, and fundraising events throughout the year, including
 its popular <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/lectures/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Annual Lecture Series</a>, now in its 25th season. The 
organization also restored and maintains the historic <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/historic-cemetery-tours/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Barney Street Cemetery</a>
 at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, steps from Washington 
Square. It is the final resting place of many of Newport’s earliest 
Irish residents. The cemetery was established to support Rhode 
Island’s first Roman Catholic parish, the forerunner of the current 
Saint Mary’s Church at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial 
Boulevard.
To learn more or to join the Museum, please visit <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">NewportIrishHistory.org</a> or write us at <a href="https://newportirishhistory@gmaiLcom" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newportirishhistory@gmaiLcom</a>

Local Event: ☘️ “Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine & America's First Humanitarian Mission"

Newport County

Newport

Rhode Island

☘️ “Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the...

Please join members and friends of the Museum of Newport Irish History for the 3rd talk of its 25th Annual Lecture Series with...

☘️ “Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine & America's First Humanitarian Mission"

Museum-Newport Irish History

The
 Museum of Newport Irish History will hold the<a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/events-calendar/christmas-open-house/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> 10th Annual Christmas Open
 House</a> at its Interpretive Center on Saturday, December 12, from 12:00 noon
 to 4:30 p.m.
You are invited to view the exhibits while enjoying eggnog, cookies 
and Celtic holiday music. At 4:00 p.m., the Ancient Order of 
Hibernian Men Singers and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernian Singers will lend their holiday cheer. Giftable, 
made-in-R.I. Celtic-inspired Christmas ornaments and lapel pins will be 
available for sale throughout the Open House, with proceeds benefiting 
the Museum. Stop by and learn about Irish immigration to Newport County from the colonial era to the 
present and the many contributions made to our community by 
individuals of Irish descent.
The exhibits include maps, photographs, video, and models, including a
 vintage lighted model of historic St. Mary’s Church depicted at 
Christmas time. Admission is complimentary, but donations are gratefully 
accepted. Free parking is available on the street. Photo: One of our Celtic-inspired Christmas ornaments. For details and pricing visit the event webpage by clicking "More info. here"&nbsp; Photo by Maureen Brady
ABOUT THE MUSEUM The Museum of Newport Irish History,
 a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501c3 organization, was founded in 1996 
and now boasts over 900 members. In addition to operating an <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Interpretive Center</a>
 on Lower Thames Street, the organization sponsors numerous educational,
 cultural, social, and fundraising events throughout the year, including
 its popular <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/lectures/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">annual lecture series</a>, now in its 25th season. The 
organization also restored and maintains the historic <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/historic-cemetery-tours/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Barney Street Cemetery</a>
 at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, steps from Washington 
Square. It is the final resting place of many of Newport’s earliest 
Irish residents and was the cemetery established to support Rhode 
Island’s first Roman Catholic parish, the forerunner of the current 
Saint Mary’s Church at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial 
Boulevard.
To learn more or to join the Museum, visit <a href="https://newportirishhistory.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.NewportIrishHistory.org</a> or write us at <a href="mailto:newportirishhistory@gmail.com" target="_blank">newportirishhistory@gmail.com</a>

Local Event: Christmas Open House at the Irish Museum

Christmas Open House at the Irish Museum

The
 Museum of Newport Irish History will hold the 10th Annual Christmas Open
 House at its Interpretive Center on Saturday,...

Museum of Newport Irish History

Providence Metropolitan Area

In the heart of Newport’s best-known Irish-American neighborhood, visitors will learn about Irish immigration to Newport County from the colonial era to the present and of the many contributions made to our community by individuals of Irish descent.  Learn more by visiting www.NewportIrishHistory.org

Joseph Hosey

Middletown

Jamestown

Portsmouth

Washington County

North Kingstown

Tiverton-Little Compton

Narragansett-South Kingstown

Kent County

East Greenwich

Bristol County

Bristol-Warren

Warwick

Exeter

Jamestown Philomenian Library

This encore program will explore what was happening on Jamestown before, during, and after the American Revolution. Rosemary Enright, renowned historian, author and speaker&nbsp;brings the history of the island to life with stories of the people and events of the era. Don’t&nbsp;miss this fascinating and informative free program. Light refreshments will be served.&nbsp; Sponsored by the Jamestown 250th Commission&nbsp;and the Jamestown Historical Society.

Local Event: Jamestown in the 18th Century

Jamestown in the 18th Century

This encore program will explore what was happening on Jamestown before, during, and after the American Revolution. Rosemary...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Museum of Newport Irish History, Neighbor

Posting Activity

☘️ “Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine & America's First Humanitarian Mission"

NOV

17

6:00 PM

Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI

Christmas Open House at the Irish Museum

DEC

12

12:00 PM

Museum-Newport Irish History, 648 Thames St, Newport, RI

Jamestown in the 18th Century