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Viewing a Rhode Island Native through today’s lens: Esek Hopkins

January 14, 2021 @ 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm

Free
Esek Hopkins was a successful privateer before the American Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental navy during the war. Hopkins had some success in his naval career, but he was also accused of disobeying Congressional orders and was dismissed from the Navy in 1778.
Before the war, Hopkins was the captain of the Sally, a slave ship commissioned by Nicholas, John, Joseph, and Moses Brown. The ship lost 109 out of its cargo of 196 enslaved Africans during a disastrous voyage in 1764-65.
In 1891 the City of Providence erected a statue commemorating Hopkins in the North End’s Hopkins Square. Later Esek Hopkins Middle School was named in his honor, and in 1973 Hopkins’ home on Admiral Street was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
There has been mounting opposition recently to continuing to celebrate Hopkins as a Rhode Island hero, culminating in a proposal this past summer to rename Hopkins Middle School.
Panelists:
  • Henry Marciano, former Esek Hopkins Middle School teacher
  • Marcus Nevius, URI historian specializing in slave resistance, slavery-based economies, and abolition
  • Ray Rickman, Co-founder and Executive Director of Stages of Freedom
  • Matt Garza, Artist-in-Residence at the Esek Hopkins House
Moderated by Patricia Raub, Board President, Providence Community Library
Questions? Contact Janet Fuentes jfuentes@provcomlib.org

Details

Date:
January 14, 2021
Time:
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Cost:
Free
Event Category:
Website:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viewing-a-rhode-island-native-through-todays-lens-esek-hopkins-tickets-132581951185

Organizer

Providence Community Library
Phone
401-467-2700
Email
info@provcomlib.org
View Organizer Website