Friday, November 8, 2024

RIHS: DOORS OPEN RI

Smithsonian Museum Day Live!, Doors Open R.I. Come to RIHS

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Sites in Providence and Woonsocket Will Offer Free Admission, Tours on September 23

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(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) ??? The Rhode Island Historical Society???s John Brown House Museum in Providence and Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket will open their doors free of charge on Saturday, Sept. 23, as part of Smithsonian Magazine???s 13th annual Museum Day Live!, an initiative in which participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution???s Washington D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket at

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2017/.????

The Smithsonian Institution recognizes the extraordinary power of museums and other cultural institutions, to provide visitors with insight and inspiration. The event represents a nationwide commitment to boundless curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge wherever you are. More than 200,000 people downloaded tickets for last year???s event, and this year???s event is expected to attract more museum-goers than ever before.

The John Brown House Museum and the Museum of Work & Culture will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Sept. 23. Also taking place that day is Doors Open Rhode Island, a free open house festival in Providence, and the John Brown House Museum will participate with special behind-the-scenes basement tours of the 1788 mansion at 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. No reservations or tickets are needed for these tours, but they are first come, first served. Space is limited.

???Carrying on the truly special tradition of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! while also welcoming visitors as part of the inaugural Doors Open Rhode Island festival represents a wonderful opportunity for us to both continue providing greater access to the community and to partner with organizations we admire,??? said Geralyn Ducady, director of the RIHS???s Newell D. Goff Center for Education and Public Programs. ???We always look forward to Saturdays at RIHS museums and sites, but this particular weekend promises to be extraordinary.???

For more information, visit the Smithsonian Museum Day Live! and Doors Open Rhode Island websites, or contact RIHS Communications Manager Shawn Badgley at (401) 331-8575 x134 or sbadgley@rihs.org.

About Smithsonian Media

Smithsonian Media is comprised of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space magazine, Smithsonian Books, and the Smithsonian Media Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media oversees the Smithsonian Institution???s interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex consisting of 20 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually.

About the Rhode Island Historical Society

Founded in 1822, the RIHS, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the fourth-oldest historical society in the United States and is Rhode Island???s largest and oldest historical organization. In Providence, the RIHS owns and operates the John Brown House Museum, a designated National Historic Landmark, built in 1788; the Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; and the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, where archival, book and image collections are housed. In Woonsocket, the RIHS manages the Museum of Work and Culture, a community museum examining the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of the workers and settlers, especially French-Canadians, who made it one of the state???s most distinctive areas.