Oliver Hazard Perry: The Hero of Lake Erie was a collaborative exhibition, gathering together cultural artifacts from seven different organizations and three private collections to celebrate the legacy of one of Rhode Island’s best known military heroes. The exhibition was timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary in September 2013 of The Battle of Lake Erie, Perry’s shining moment, and the dedication of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry on July 6, 2013.

The exhibition was located in both the Van Alen Gallery and the Prince Gallery.

Participating institutions included the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library; Birmingham Museum of Art; John Hay Library, Brown University; Naval War College Museum; Newport Historical Society; Preservation Society of Newport County; Rhode Island Historical Society; and the Redwood Library and Athenæum.

Private collections: Captain Richard Bailey, Elena Cabot, Perry Lewis, Virginia Treherne-Thomas

An exhibition catalog containing the following two essays and other information is available in the library store for $5.00:

• Dr. John B. Hattendorf, Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History at the United States Naval War College, Director of the Naval War College Museum
• Captain Richard Bailey, Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island