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Lecture: “The Hidden History of Middletown”
February 25 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
“The Hidden History of Middletown”
Middletown Historical Society’s
2024 Winter Lecture Series
Sunday, February 25th 2:00-4:00 PM Middletown Public Library
History is not just made by the rich and famous; it can be found right in your own family tree. The 2024 Winter Lecture Series, “History in the Family,” sponsored by the Middletown Historical Society in partnership with the Middletown Public Library, will explore the lives of some local ancestors who
helped shape the community we share today. Featured speakers will reveal fascinating insights unearthed while researching their own family histories, and a local historian will explore the “hidden histories” of those whose stories have often been overlooked in traditional historical records. The monthly lectures will be held on Sundays, 2-4pm, on January 28, February 25, and March 24 at the Middletown Public Library.* All lectures are free and open to the public and will include time for questions and answers. No registration is required, but seating is limited.
On February 25th, “The Hidden History of Middletown” presented by
Professor Michael J. Simpson (M.A., A.M.) of Johnson & Wales University, and a 2004 graduate of Middletown High School. This engaging session will weave together thousands of years of local history, covering geological changes, environmental shifts, Indigenous perspectives, Black experiences,
gender dynamics, Rhode Island’s involvement in the Transatlantic Human Trade, and a critical reexamination of conventional colonial history. By delving into often-overlooked facets of Middletown’s history, Professor Simpson’s presentation will reveal compelling stories that have shaped
the town’s identity and offer fresh perspectives on Middletown’s multifaceted past.
*Subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. For updates, please check the Middletown
Historical Society website, https://www.middletownhistoricalsociety.org, or the Middletown Public
Library’s Event Calendar, https://middletownpubliclibraryri.org/events-calendar.