A night at the museum

The Pawtuxet Rangers and the Gaspee Days Committee are making history a little more fun and more accessible this Friday when they host a “Museum Night” in Pawtuxet Village.

Artifacts, documents and other Revolutionary War memorabilia will be on display at the Rangers’ Armory on Remington Street and at the Aspray Boat House at 2 East View St. in Warwick.

“It’s a community event that gives people a chance to see some of the many artifacts we have,” said Col. Ron Barnes, commander of the Rangers. “It’s also a great social event.  We are right here in the village and some people have never seen the armory or the artifacts we have – it’s a nice night to come in and meet your (historical) neighbors.”

The Pawtuxet Rangers — which are one of the oldest existing chartered Colonial militias — and the Gaspee Days Committee share a common passion for preserving Revolutionary War History in the Cranston-Warwick area. Most of their activities focus on the 1772 burning of the British Naval schooner, the HMS Gaspee. The British ship ran aground off the Warwick shore and colonists boarded it and burned it down.

It is considered a key act of colonial insurgence that was instrumental in triggering the Revolutionary War.

In addition to the artifacts at the armory, the Museum Night will feature important documents on loan from the State Archives. Those will be on display at the Aspray Boat House and guests can stroll between the two locations.

The event will be a fundraiser and also a way to continue celebrating the Pawtuxet Rangers 250th anniversary, Barnes said.

The museum event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $30 per person. The admission includes beer and wine at both locations, anniversary cake and a commemorative Pawtuxet Rangers 250th anniversary glass mug.

“We have so much history to show and share,” said Gaspee Days Committee member Carol Deming. “It’s a fun night, and it is a good chance to look at the history of our state and of our community.”

Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti, a Cranston resident, is a regular contributor to the Cranston Herald, Warwick Beacon and Johnston SunRise.