German Soldiers in Rhode Island, 1776 to 1779 Talk with Friederike Baer [FREE PROGRAM]
Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St, Providence, R.I., 02906)
Wednesday,December 6, 6pm
Free Talk Exploring German Soldiers in the American Revolution
Dr. Friederike Baer to Discuss Hessian Perspectives on Revolutionary Rhode Island
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – The Rhode Island Historical Society and the Battle of Rhode Island Association will welcome Dr. Friederike Baer on Wednesday, December 6th at 6pm for her talk, “I cannot call it a Conquest – the Rebels ran away like Villains”: German Soldiers in Rhode Island, 1776 to 1779.
The British occupation of Rhode Island from 1776 to 1779 included more than 3,000 soldiers and civilians belonging to the corps from Hessen-Kassel and Ansbach-Bayreuth, two of the six German territories that supplied troops to Britain in its war against the American rebels. During this time, they dealt with persistent harassment by the Americans, and, in August 1778, they participated in the Battle of Rhode Island. The presentation will examine the land, the people, and the Revolutionary War in Rhode Island from the perspective of these German troops.
This talk is free and will be hosted at the RIHS Aldrich House headquarters in Providence.
Guests can register at rihs.org.
Friederike Baer is an Associate Professor of History at Pennsylvania State University, Abington College. She holds a Ph.D. in early American history from Brown University. Much of her research has focused on the experiences of German-speaking people in North America in the periods of the War for American Independence and Early Republic. Her work has been supported with research grants from organizations such as the American Philosophical Society, Library Company of Philadelphia, University of Michigan Clements Library, and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). For her most recent book, Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War (2022), she was awarded the 2023 Society of the Cincinnati Prize.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only state-wide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting, and sharing Rhode Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org. Follow the RIHS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.