50 Years of protecting & preserving our history: Remembering the original Gaspee Days Committee

Mayor Scott Avedisian
Posted 9/4/14

Next week, the Gaspee Days Committee will kick off its 50th year with an impressive series of events designed to shed light on the first armed conflict of the American Revolution while also …

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50 Years of protecting & preserving our history: Remembering the original Gaspee Days Committee

Posted

Next week, the Gaspee Days Committee will kick off its 50th year with an impressive series of events designed to shed light on the first armed conflict of the American Revolution while also remembering the efforts of those people who came together 50 years ago to make sure that the history of this important event would not be lost. 

We are all aware of the tale of the burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee. In June of 1772, the packet sloop Hannah left Newport for Providence. The H.M.S. Gaspee, which had been sent to patrol the waters of Narragansett Bay, led chase. The Gaspee ran aground near Namquid Point in Warwick. Later that evening, 64 men rowed under cover of darkness to the stranded vessel and lit the Gaspee afire. 

In the days that followed this first armed conflict of the Revolution, the colonies formed the Committees on Correspondence. That led to the formation of the Continental Congress and eventually to the Declaration of Independence.

What an amazing and exciting event right here in our neighborhood. Sadly, it was rarely mentioned in history books and often was forgotten. Then in 1965, a small group of history-minded individuals got together to talk about the fact that the humble beginnings of the American Revolution happened right here in our back yards and that we needed to make sure it was preserved and protected.

It all began on a hot and humid night in September 1965 when a group of 15 men and women, representatives of businesses, civic, and patriotic groups in the cities of Cranston and Warwick met at the John Carder Tavern (home of Mr. and Mrs. L. Hazard Knowles) at 118 Road in Warwick. All present listened to an energetic man convey his idea of an annual celebration of the burning of the hated British revenue schooner Gaspee by colonial patriots in June 1772.

The man was David Stackhouse, chairman of the Warwick Heritage Committee, who believed it was time to arouse people’s interest in the history of Pawtuxet Village.

Stackhouse, with the help of Hazel Kennedy, who he asked to serve as secretary, mailed invitations to all local organizations and civic groups asking them to send one representative to the first meeting in October 1965. Thanks to Edward Yatsko, who was associated with Mason & Winograd on Warwick Avenue, the committee began meeting on the second floor. This building was soon named Gaspee House, and the committee met here for some time.

There were 60 people at the first meeting, and 33 would sign the original charter. The celebration was a weekend of activities from June 3-5, 1966.

Some of the original members of the committee are still part of the activities some 50 years later: Henry A.L. Brown, who is also the City Historian; Jeanne Knowles, who still plays in the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps and sings in the church choir at Trinity Episcopal Church; and Eugene J. McCaffrey, former mayor of Warwick. 

As we  mark this milestone, we also give pause to honor the memory of those who have passed away: L. Hazard “Hap” Knowles, Forest Sprague, and Hazel Wade Kennedy. What all of these people had was a sense of spirit and of place.

Pawtuxet Village is that special place, where we can reflect on the past, embrace the present, and plan for the future. As Gaspee Days begins its 50th year, let us all thank those who stood up for the history and heritage of the cities of Warwick and Cranston. Let us remember that they never forgot the rich and vibrant history of our past. And they helped us realize the bright future of today and of tomorrow.

So, hats off to Henry Brown, Jeanne Knowles, Mayor McCaffrey, and all the other members of the original committee.

And a great thank you to Hazel Wade Kennedy, Hap Knowles, and all other charter members who are no longer with us.

 

Mayor Scott Avedisian served as president of the Gaspee Days Committee in 1994-1995. The 50th kickoff of the installation of officers is this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Pawtuxet Athletic Club.

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