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Saturdays in the 1700s: The Act of Renunciation

  • May 2, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • John Brown House Museum

    52 Power Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02906
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Description

Join the John Brown House Museum on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10am-4pm for a special Saturdays in the 1700s program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Act of Renunciation, formally marking the moment Rhode Island became the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.

Adopted by the General Assembly on May 4, 1776, the Act removed the King’s authority from official oaths and legal documents, asserting that Rhode Island would govern itself as a free and independent colony. To mark this bold decision, costumed living historians will take over the Great Lawn of the John Brown House Museum! Visitors will witness a dramatic reading of the Act of Renunciation and meet interpreters representing everyday residents—including merchants, tavernkeepers, and local women gathering for tea—who will share perspectives on the uncertain and exciting days leading up to independence.

Throughout the day, visitors can engage with a variety of interactive experiences:

  • Join the Roots of Revolution - American Revolution Part 1 walking tour (sign up separately)
  • Sample period-inspired teas during a special tasting with Ocean State Spice and Tea Merchants
  • Hear historian Don Hagist discuss the significance of the Act of Renunciation in the broader Revolutionary era
  • See the painting Brave Men As Ever Fought, which will be on loan from the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office
  • Enjoy hands-on, historically-inspired crafts for children and families.

Guests are also invited to tour the newly reinterpreted John Brown House Museum. This program kicks off “Independence Season” in Rhode Island, a series of commemorations leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The season will continue through mid-July, culminating in another living history program at the John Brown House Museum on July 18, 2026, that recreates a public reading of the Declaration of Independence as Rhode Islanders might have experienced in 1776.

This free event is generously sponsored by the Rhode Island 250 Commission. 

Date & Time

Sat, May 2, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Venue Details

John Brown House Museum

52 Power Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02906 John Brown House Museum
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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