The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a Big Read grant of $5,700 to The Preservation Society of Newport County to fund a program to encourage the reading of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Preservation Society is one of 76 not-for-profit organizations across the country to receive Big Read grants.
The Preservation Society has partnered with several other local organizations to present a two-month calendar of events in May and June of 2012. Partner organizations include the Newport Public Library, Newport Historical Society, Newport Restoration Foundation, Aquidneck Land Trust, The Redwood Library & Athenaeum, the Edward King House Senior Center, the Boys & Girls Club and Rogers High School.
Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey were chosen as Newport's book focus for their potential to stimulate discussion on the meaning of community, the roles individuals play within communities, and the ways in which physical and cultural landscapes express community identity.
“By linking the two works to the life and history of Newport, we are trying to tap into the natural interest and pride that all Newporters have in their community,” said John Tschirch, Director of Museum Affairs for the Preservation Society and the project director.
The program will begin on May 6, 2012 with a Newport Public Library showing of the 2002 film production of Our Town starring Paul Newman. Over the ensuing two months, additional events will include book discussions, screenings of the film versions of both books, lectures and walking tours. In addition to the cash grant to promote and carry out the community-based programs, NEA will also provide high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, including Reader’s Guides, Teacher’s Guides, and Audio Guides.
For more information please visit www.NeaBigRead.org or click here
Big Read Calendar of Events
Sunday, May 6 2:00 PM
Kick-Off Event – Screening: Our Town (2003)
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Veteran actor-director Paul Newman makes his first Broadway appearance in four decades in this Westport Country Playhouse production of the Thornton Wilder classic. Newman plays the Stage Manager, who narrates the immortal tale of Grover's Corners, U.S.A., and its citizens. Key grant organizers will be on hand to introduce the community to The Big Read project. Refreshments will be served.
Monday, May 7 7:00 PM
Book Discussion #1: The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Staff from the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion of Thornton Wilder’s book, The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Wednesday, May 9 10:00 AM
Walking Our Town - Colonial Newport: Our Town’s Legacy of Religious Diversity
Museum & Shop at the Brick Market
127 Thames Street, Newport, RI
Explore Newport’s early commitment to religious tolerance on a walk through the old quarter where diverse groups of Quakers, Jews, Baptists, Congregationalists and Anglicans flourished. This tour, led by the Newport Historical Society and the Newport Restoration Foundation, visits the interiors of two of Newport’s early houses of worship, the Great Friends Meeting House (1699) and the Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House (1730).
Reservations suggested, space is limited. To register, please call 401-841-8770.
Thursday, May 10 7:00 PM
Lecture: Edward King and the Building of a Community
Edward King House
35 King Street, Newport, RI
Florence Archambault will discuss the King family legacy and how it is intertwined with community growth in Newport.
To register, please call 401-846-7426.
Thursday, May 10 7:00 PM
Screening: The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004)
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Five people are killed in an accident when a lofty rope bridge collapses. A priest journeys to discover if there was a divine reason for the bloody disaster. Set in Lima, Peru, during the 18th century. Written and directed by Mary McGuckian; based on the novel by Thornton Wilder. Starring, F. Murray Abraham, with Kathy Bates, Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel.
Saturday, May 12 9:00 AM
Walking Our Town – Morton Park
Meet at Morton Park Entrance
Morton Avenue, Newport, RI
Led by Sophia DeMaio,
Stewardship Director, Aquidneck Land Trust
In 1886, Morton Park was given to the City of Newport by former Vice President of the United States, Levi P. Morton. In 2007, the city granted a Conservation Easement to the Aquidneck Land Trust to ensure that the area would always remain a public park. Join us on a stroll through Morton Park’s urban arboretum and learn about some of the interesting trees that have shaded the park through its history.
Please come prepared for a 1-2 hour long tour. Sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing are strongly recommended. Please register with Sophia DeMaio at sdemaio@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 14.
Tuesday, May 15 6:00 PM
Keynote Lecture and Discussion – From Lima, Peru to Newport, Rhode Island: Images of Thornton Wilder and His Literary Journey
Casino Theatre
9 Freebody Street, Newport, RI
Dr. Sarah Littlefield,
Professor of English, Salve Regina University
More than 30 years after Thornton Wilder’s death, his works continue to be read, performed and enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Dr. Littlefield will explore Wilder’s legacy and consider why he has endured and become a man of “our town.”
Please r
egister online or call 401-847-1000 ext. 154.
Thursday, May 17 7:00 PM
Book Discussion #2: Our Town or Theophilus North
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Pat LaRose of the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion as part of the regular Thursday evening Book Group selections. Participants can choose to read either
Our Town or
Theophilus North.
Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 7:00 PM
Production: Our Town (1938)
Rogers High School
15 Wickham Road, Newport, RI
Rogers High School will stage a full-length production of Our Town (1938), Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Set in the fictional town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, at the turn of the 20
th century, the story follows the everyday joys and trials of the town's citizens.
Saturday, May 19 12:00 PM-3:00 PM
Our Town Today
Edward King House
35 King Street, Newport, RI
Come experience audio and video recordings of how some citizens view our town. Hear their memories of growing up on Aquidneck Island and learn why they are connected to our community today.
To register, please call 401-846-7426.
Sunday, May 20 2:00 PM
Celebrity Read & Discussion
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Community leaders and others will read aloud excerpts from Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey. Participants in The Big Read are invited to add their comments about their experiences during the project. Refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, May 22 7:00 PM
Book Discussion #3: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, or Theophilus North
Island Books
575 E. Main Road, Middletown, RI
Join in a discussion of the works of Thornton Wilder.
Wednesday, May 23 10:00 AM
Walking Our Town – The Redwood Library and Athenaeum: Our Town’s Oldest Library
Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Join staff from The Redwood Library and Athenaeum (1747) for a tour of America’s oldest lending library. An icon of 18th century architecture, the Redwood Library has played a pivotal role in both the history of Rhode Island history and that of our nation. Its superb collection of 18th and 19th century American portraits includes works by Gilbert Stuart, Charles Bird King, and Charles Willson Peale.
Reservations suggested, space is limited. To register, please call 401-847-0292 ext. 110.
Thursday, May 24 7:00 PM
Screening: Mr. North (1988)
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Mr. North, a stranger to a small but wealthy Rhode Island town, is rumored to have the power to heal people's ailments. Directed by Danny Huston, with Anthony Edwards, Robert Mitchum, Harry Dean Stanton, Anjelica Huston and Lauren Bacall.
Friday, May 25 11:00 AM
Book Discussion #4: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, or Theophilus North
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Staff from the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion.
Tuesday, May 29 7:00 PM
Live Reading & Discussion: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town
Edward King House
35 King Street, Newport, RI
Join the Edward King House Theatre Company for a live reading of Our Town. Discussion and interpretation will follow the performance.
To register, please call 401-846-7426.
Thursday, May 31 7:00 PM
Book Discussion #5: Our Town
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Pat LaRose of the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.
Monday, June 4 2:00 PM
Book Discussion #6: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, or Theophilus North
Edward King House
35 King Street, Newport, RI
Staff from the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion.
Tuesday, June 5 7:00 PM
Book Discussion #7: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, or Theophilus North
Barnes & Noble
1311 W. Main Road, Middletown, RI
Staff from the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion.
Wednesday, June 6 10:00 AM
Walking Our Town – Newport’s Fifth Ward: Exploring Our Town’s Irish Legacy
Led by Dr. Catherine W. Zipf, Architectural Historian
Newport's Irish population has affected the city’s heritage in significant ways, from founding churches and businesses to construction of many buildings in the Fifth Ward. This tour will explore that heritage by visiting sites significant to Newport's Irish community.
Reservations suggested, space is limited. Please register online or call 401-847-1000 ext. 154.
Thursday, June 7 7:00 PM
Screening: OT: Our Town (2002)
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Against all odds, the students at Dominguez High School set out to put on the school's first theatrical production in more than 20 years. But what does Thornton Wilder's famous play about life in rural Grover's Corners have to do with Compton, California? The film follows the students as they discover the power of art on the human spirit.
Saturday, June 9 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Children’s Workshop: The Importance of Our Town
Edward King House
35 King Street, Newport, RI
Join the Edward King House Theatre Company and Artistic Director/Professional Coach Tom C. Erb for this educational and creative workshop, which includes a dramatic and artistic interpretation of Our Town, designed to teach children to the importance of their community.
To register, please call 401-846-7426.
Tuesday, June 12 1:00 PM
Book Discussion #8: Our Town, The Bridge of San Luis Rey, or Theophilus North
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Luke Owens of the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion as part of the regular Tuesday afternoon book group.
Thursday, June 14 7:00 PM
A Celebration of Bridges
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
A local bridge inspector will share his experiences over a 20-year career. A film of the building of the Mount Hope Bridge and video clips of the destruction of the old Jamestown Bridge will be shown.
Saturday, June 16 9:00 AM
Walking Our Town – Sakonnet Greenway Trail
Meet at Middletown Soccer Fields
Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI
Led by Sophia DeMaio, Stewardship Director, Aquidneck Land Trust
The final section of the nearly 10 mile Sakonnet Greenway Trail will be completed soon! Let us introduce you to the new 5 mile loop trail. During the tour, we will pass through forest, farmland, meadow, and wetland and talk about some of many species of plants and animals that are encountered along the trail.
Please come prepared for a 1-2 hour long tour. Sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing are strongly recommended. Register with Sophia DeMaio at sdemaio@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 14.
Saturday, June 16 11:00 AM
Book Discussion #9: Our Town or Theophilus North
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Staff from the Newport Public Library will facilitate this discussion.
Tuesday, June 19 11:00 AM
Book Discussion #10: The Bridge of San Luis Rey
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Washington Irving will lead this discussion of Thornton Wilder’s The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Wednesday, June 20 10:00 AM
Walking Our Town – Bellevue Avenue: Architecture and Preservation in Our Town
Meet at Kingscote
253 Bellevue Avenue, Newport RI
Led by Caitlin Emery, Museum Programs Coordinator, The Preservation Society of Newport County
The Bellevue Avenue National Historic Landmark District is home to some of the finest nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings in American architectural history. This tour will explore the historic significance and the remarkable stories of preservation and loss on one of America’s most legendary streets.
Reservations suggested, space is limited. Please register online or call 401-847-1000 ext. 154.
Tuesday, June 26 11:00 AM
Children’s Workshop: Build a Better Bridge
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street, Newport, RI
Molly Robinson, Children’s Librarian, Rogers Free Library
Dr. Catherine W. Zipf, Architectural Historian
Some of the coolest technology in the world involves constructing bridges. Come learn how bridges stand up by building your own. Appropriate for children ages 7-12.
Reservations suggested, space is limited. Please register online or call 401-847-1000 ext. 154.
Thursday, June 28 12:00 PM
Brown Bag Lunch and Book Discussion: Our Town
Isaac Bell House
70 Perry Street, Newport, RI
Dr. Sarah Littlefield, Professor of English, Salve Regina University
Bring your lunch and join Dr. Sarah Littlefield for a discussion of Our Town on the porch of the Isaac Bell House.
Reservations suggested, space is limited. Please register online or call 401-847-1000 ext. 154.
Saturday, June 30 9:00 AM
Walking Our Town – Oakland Forest and Meadow Preserve
Meet at Meadow Preserve Entrance
Carriage Drive, Portsmouth, RI
Led by Sophia DeMaio, Stewardship Director, Aquidneck Land Trust
Come see one of the few remaining old growth beech forests! We will explore this rare forest community and the adjoining meadow habitat and hear from some of the people who helped conserve the Oakland Forest & Meadow Preserve.
Please come prepared for a 1-2 hour long tour. Sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing are strongly recommended. Register with Sophia DeMaio at sdemaio@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 14.