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From Bullrakes to Clambakes with Dune Brothers and Dr. Michael Bell

  • August 4, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

  • Aldrich House

    110 Benevolent Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02906
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Description

Join the Rhode Island Historical Society on Monday, August 4th at 6pm for From Bullrakes to Clambakes, featuring Dune Brothers and a presentation by former state folklorist Dr. Michael Bell.

Guests will first hear from a Dune Brothers co-owner and chef, Nick Gillespie, on the origins of Dune Brothers and their pier-to-plate approach to showcasing and supporting Rhode Island seafood. Guests will enjoy a cup of Dune Brothers’ Rhode Island clam chowder and clam cakes, along with a  Fresh Catch Ale from Narragansett Brewery.

Then, Bell will then share the occupational folklife of people involved in the shellfishing industry of Narragansett Bay, including bullraking for quahogs from a skiff, selling the catch to a dealer (both ashore and on the "buy boat"), and the daily routine of wholesale shellfish dealers and restaurants specializing in shellfish. This presentation will draw on the materials Bell collected with the American Folklife Center in 1979.

Michael E. Bell was awarded a Ph.D. in Folklore from Indiana University at Bloomington, an M.A. in Folklore and Mythology from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a B.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology from the University of Arizona, Tucson. For more than twenty-five years, Bell was the Consulting Folklorist at the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission in Providence, Rhode Island. He has also taught folklore, English, and anthropology at several colleges and universities. Dr. Bell has served as a scholar or consultant on numerous projects, particularly those concerned with folklore, folk art, oral history, and humanities programs for young adults. Bell has completed a variety of publications and media productions on topics ranging from local legends and the magical black cat bone to the occupational folklife of the shell fishing industry of Narragansett Bay.

Date & Time

Mon, Aug 4, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Venue Details

Aldrich House

110 Benevolent Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02906 Aldrich House
Rhode Island Historical Society

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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