The role of Black Americans, free and enslaved, in the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that many served in southern regiments alongside their white comrades in integrated units. On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the John Brown House Museum, a museum of the Rhode Island Historical Society, is pleased to host author John Rees for Black Patriots: An Overview of African Americans in the Continental Army.
During this talk, Rees will share the acceptance, service, and experiences of Black soldiers during and after the War for American Independence, with a particular focus on those who served in Continental regiments, including the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Additionally, Rees will uncover the histories of African American women’s roles within the army and examine the U.S military’s 19th-century transformation from inclusion to segregation.
Rees’s most recent book, Black Soldiers in America’s Wars, 1754-1865, was co-authored with historical military artist Don Troiani, whose painting Brave Men As Ever Fought will be available for viewing at the Museum during the program, on loan from the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office for this event.
John Rees has also authored “They Were Good Soldiers”: African Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783 (2019) and over 200 articles about the experiences of common soldiers and women during the War for American Independence. For 15 years, John was a regular columnist for the quarterly newsletter Food History News, writing on soldiers' food, 1754-1945; he wrote four entries for the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, and thirteen entries for the Thomson Gale edition of Boatner’s Encyclopedia of the American Revolutions.
Doors open at 4:30pm for a book signing and reception prior to the talk at 5:30pm. Tickets cost $5-$10 for general admission. A combo ticket that covers admission and the book Don Troiani’s Black Soldiers in America’s Wars is also available.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
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