Inside the Barracks: A Sneak Peek at Rose Island: In Peace and At War
Join Rose Island’s Public History Program Manager Michael J. Simpson and Museum Research Coordinator Trinity Kendrick for a behind-the-scenes preview of Rose Island: In Peace and At War, a new permanent exhibition opening this October at the brand new Barracks Museum. Built from 1798-1801, the stone structure has witnessed over two centuries of history, from Revolutionary Era defenses to 19th-century quarantine to 20th-century explosives storage. This lecture will explore how the barracks space has reflected both war and peace across its many uses, and how curators are transforming one of its rooms into an immersive museum exhibit. Learn about the artifacts, documents, and untold stories that bring Rose Island’s layered past to life, and how this unique site continues to evolve as a place of public history and preservation. Approximately 50 minutes with time for audience questions.
Michael J. Simpson, M.A., A.M. is the Public History Program Director at the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust. A historian and educator based in Providence, Rhode Island, he leads research, exhibitions, and interpretive programming for the Trust. His work focuses on uncovering and sharing layered histories of coastal New England, including Indigenous land use, colonial and Revolutionary War military activity, public health, and wartime adaptive reuse. Michael holds graduate degrees in History from Brown University and New York University and teaches U.S. History at Johnson & Wales University.
Trinity Kendrick, M.S. is the Museum Research Coordinator at the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust. She is a preservationist and public historian based in Providence, Rhode Island. She holds a Master of Science in Preservation Practices from Roger Williams University and a BA in Architectural Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Her work focuses on New England architectural history & decorative arts, and digital collections curation & accessibility. She currently also serves as the Special Projects Coordinator at the Newport Historical Society.
The Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to preserve and interpret the historic structures and natural environment of Rose Island, located in Narragansett Bay off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. The Trust maintains the 1870 lighthouse and the 1798 Fort Hamilton barracks and stewards the island as both a heritage site and wildlife refuge. Through exhibitions, overnight stays, educational programming, and conservation initiatives, the Trust connects visitors to the island’s unique role in American history, maritime culture, and environmental preservation.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
6:00 pm
Free
EVENT AT CAPACITY
