Center Aquidneck and the Newport Restoration Foundation present The Cato Vernon Freedom Library, a kaleidoscopic response to the life of Private Cato Vernon and what it takes to uncover our collective history. This interactive exhibit encourages us to discover more about this African heritage Revolutionary War soldier, carpenter and Black Newporter who lived in the Vernon House from 1774-1776(?). As we work together to tell the story of Cato Vernon we’ll also tell the better story of us.
In addition to the exhibit, there will be a a wide variety of talks, workshops, and performances throughout the seven-week run. Learn more here
The Cato Vernon Freedom Library is made possible in part by BankNewport and a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250) and through funding support from Rhode Island Humanities, an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. RI Humanities seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.
