Walking Tour, Book to Uncover Hidden History

Some of the hidden history of Bristol and Rhode Island will be revealed over the next few days by the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society.

A walking tour of the North Burial Ground on Hope Street will take place on Sunday morning, Nov. 2.

A presentation of Rhode Island’s part in the Civil War will take place on Monday evening, Nov. 4, in the Rogers Free Library on Hope Street.

Jacob Begin, an American Studies Ph.D. candidate, will guide the walking tour while telling some historic stories and pointing out some of the interesting people who are buried in the cemetery.

The tour starts at 10 am at the cemetery entrance on Asylum Road. Park on the road. There is a $5 fee for BHPS members; non-members will pay $10. 

Author Frank Grzyb of Portsmouth will pull often-overlooked stories from his book, “Hidden History of Rhode Island and the Civil War.” For instance, Brown University's John M. Hay became Abraham Lincoln's assistant secretary, and the city of Newport served as the temporary headquarters for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Grzyb, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, has written several books on Vietnam and U.S. history. His talk starts at 7 pm in the Herreshoff Community Room.

The book presentation is free. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information on the walking tour or the book presentation, click here‎ for the website of the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society.