Due to this week’s blizzard, the Johnston Historical Society was forced to postpone last night’s January scheduled meeting, according to Christopher Martin, the group’s corresponding secretary.
Thus, the meeting – which was to have been held inside the society’s recently renovated and expanded Museum Barn that’s located on the property of the Elijah Angell House at 101 Putnam Pike (Route 44) – has been rescheduled.
“People who were looking forward to our speaker, Fred Mikkelson, will be happy to learn he’ll be the featured speaker at the June 24 meeting,” Martin said.
Mikkelson was scheduled to speak about his time as keeper of the Conimicut Lighthouse, located in Narragansett Bay in Warwick.
Martin also announced that the society, which is always accepting new members, will hold its next general meeting on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25. That gathering will feature Dr. Edward A. Iannuccilli, who will give a presentation entitled “Good Times and Sunday” in which he’ll tell the story of immigration to this country.
Iannuccilli’s talk will feature anecdotes from his own family and stories from his books. He is the author of “Growing Up Italian,” “Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories,” and “Whatever Happened to Sunday Dinner and Other Stories.”
The historical society’s general meeting on Wednesday, March 25 will feature Gloria Merchant, author of “Pirates of Colonial Newport,” who’ll discuss tales of Thomas Tew, Thomas Paine, Captain Kidd and the 26 pirates who were hung at Gravelly Point in 1723.
April 29 will mark a special appearance inside the society’s Museum Barn when former Community College of Rhode Island professor Ralph Scorpio will talk about the Vietnam War and its aftermath.
Noted historian and author Jim Ignasher, vice president of the Historical Society of Smithfield, will deliver what promises to be a unique presentation concerning lost tales of Rhode Island and New England on May 27.
Ignasher has written such books as “Forgotten Tales of Rhode Island,” “Remembering Smithfield,” “Sketches of Apple Valley” and “Rhode Island Disasters by Air, Sea and Rail.”
Admission to all historical society meetings is free, and there’s always a light snack with coffee as well as a mini-raffle that helps keep the society’s important message alive and well. Those interested in society membership should call 401-943-6961 or attend one of the group’s monthly meetings.
“The membership fee is small,” said Anthony Ursillo, a society board member and accomplished historical speaker. “But the rewards of belonging to our group are many.”
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