November 3, 2022

Dear Members

We certainly have had some strange weather this autumn — some cold days, rainy ones, and then a few glorious days! The weather though has not stopped the activities of the Museum. It has been a very busy season for Museum members and friends.

• The first two talks of our 21st Annual Lecture Series were presented September 19 (Dr. Elizabeth Stack) and October 18 (Raymond J. McKenna), in person at the Wyndham Newport Hotel and virtually, via Zoom. If you were not able to join us, please enjoy the recordings by visiting the “Lectures” page on our website (look for the “Video” button).
• Tours of the historic Barney Street Cemetery were given by Steve Marino on four Sundays this fall. If you were not able to attend a tour, information about the cemetery site, central to the history of Newport’s early Irish community, may be found on the Cemetery Tours page of our website (check out the links under the large photo on the left).
• Our Interpretive Center on Lower Thames Street operated on its pre-pandemic schedule of 4 days per week. We closed for the 2022 Season October 30. Private tours in the off-season may be arranged, just send us an email). Huge thanks to our volunteer docents who made the 2022 Season a success!
• The 3 self-guided walking tour brochures have been well received and we’re poised for a third printing.
• Our Board has begun work on a strategic plan, including efforts to refresh our Interpretive Center.

Please scroll down for our latest news, including the much anticipated next talk of our 21st Annual Lecture Series, to be presented Monday, November 14 at 6pm with guest speaker, Dr. Kurt Schlichting. This will be the final lecture of the 2022 calendar year, but the series will continue in the first part of 2023. Please reserve now if you plan to attend.

Finally, the Board extends a special welcome to our newest members, who joined since our e-newsletter of Oct. 10.

Best regards,

Your Board of Directors,

Deanna J. Conheeny, President 

NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com

(click here for board list and contact info)

To learn about this photo scroll down.

Ethnic Enclaves:

Newport’s Kerry Hill Irish

in 19th & early 20th Century 



Lecture made possible by a generous gift from

The Fastnet Pub

The third talk of our 2022-23 Lecture Series Annual  will be presented on Monday, October 14 at 6 pm, by guest speaker, Dr. Kurt S. Schlichting, at our wonderful new venue, Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, R.I., just across the Newport border.

Dr. Schlichting’s illustrated talk will be live-streamed via Zoom for those who are unable to join us in person for the talk, Q&A,

and reception with complementary light hors d’oeuvres to follow (cash bar).

As always, reservations are requested and a modest fee will be charged for members attending the lecture and reception in person. 

If you previously reserved and received your

e-confirmation, you are all set.   

Questions or need assistance with your registration?

Please reach out to Ann Arnold, Lecture Series Coordinator,

at tpm1@earthlink.net or (401) 841-5494,

and she’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

This is a great time to invite your non-member family and friends to attend our talks and become a member!

Those who join to attend a lecture are not assessed the $5 per person lecture fee, just pay the 1-year Annual Membership fee of $20 Individual ($30 Family/Household). It’s our “welcome” gift to them. Questions/Suggestions/Comments:  

Please contact Ann at tpm1@earthlink.net

ABOUT THE PHOTO & PHOTOGRAPHER

The grocery store shown in the above photo was operated by Patrick Halpin and located on Tanner Street in Newport’s “Kerry Hill” neighborhood.

Tanner Street was renamed West Broadway, and renamed again, 

Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, in 1994.

The photo taken in 1875 by J.A. (Joshua Appleby) Williams.

Williams (1817-1892) was a photographer working in Newport from 1847 to 1885.

His studio was called “Joshua A. Williams’ Photograph Rooms” and was located on South Touro Street near Bath Road (now named Bellevue Ave. and Memorial Blvd.).

A majority of his work was producing stereoviews, although it seems he produced daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and albumen silver prints as well.

Photo Source: From the collections of Providence Public Library

(Identifier: VM013_GF5838)

This photo appears on one of the panels at the Museum’s Interpretive Center,

within the “Work” theme. The photo also appears in Maureen A. Taylor’s book, “Picturing Rhode Island: Images of Everyday Life, 1850-2006”

(Commonwealth Editions, 2007)

Our thanks to Patrick Halpin descendant, Carla Francis,

longtime Museum member and volunteer docent.

Our Wyndham Newport lecture hosts invite you to dine at their on-site restaurant, Johnny’s, before or after the Nov. 14 6:00 pm lecture.

Their popular three-course $17 “Early Bird” menu will be in effect, from 3-6pm (regular dinner menu/pricing will be in effect the blanch of the evening). 

RESERVATIONS

are strongly encouraged

Click HERE for Johnny’s website. When you click the “Menu” option, be sure to scroll all the way down to see each menu page graphic to click and view. “Early Bird” is on far-right.

Phone for reservations: (401) 847-2750.

Irish Music & Dance Performance – Nov. 26

We are delighted to share this opportunity to enjoy the talents of our own Museum member and award-winning Traditional Irish Step Dance and American Tap Dancer, Kevin T. Doyle, and his group, Thanksgiving Weekend at the Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland, R.I. Details below. Click on the photo for link to the theater and tickets, then scroll down to Nov. 26.

After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we look forward to reprieving our popular Christmas Open House.

Please Save the Date, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 from 12 noon to 4:30 pm. A “Christmas in Newport“ event. Details to come! 

Museum of Newport Irish History

Established 1996

a 501c3 non-profit organization

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1378, Newport, RI 02840

Interpretive Center:

648 Lower Thames Street, Newport RI 02840

Email: NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com

Click Here for Museum Board of Directors Contact Info. and list of deceased board members, fondly remembered.

The MISSION of the Museum of Newport Irish History is to tell the story of the Irish immigrants and their descendants in Newport County and the surrounding area from the colonial era to the present. It also seeks to preserve artifacts and mementos relating to their experiences and facilitate

research on Irish history and heritage.