Join us on Saturday, June 27, for a celebration 250 years in the making! The Golden Ball, named after Providence's historic inn that hosted Revolutionary figures such as George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, promises to be an evening where guests can revel like it's 1776 while directly supporting history education.
This immersive celebration will evoke the Revolutionary period through food, music, documents, demonstrations, and interpreters, with two 18th-century National Historic Landmarks serving as the remarkable setting: the John Brown House Museum and the grounds of the Nightingale-Brown House.
VIP (Very Important Patriot) Reception & Banner Event Tickets
Guests to the VIP Reception will be treated to:
A ceremony honoring Professor Gordon S. Wood for his contributions to the fields of history and teacher education
A signature cocktail crafted by White Dog Distilling with Sabin's Spirit, the RIHS's 250th Whiskey
An exclusive treat from Half Crown Bakehouse
First access to event seating at the Nightingale-Brown House
Swag Bags featuring materials from Brown2026, the Rhode Island Historical Society, and the RI 250th Commission
All of the benefits of the Banner Event
Banner Event Tickets
Guests to the Banner Event will enjoy:
A menu of historically inspired bites from McGrath Catering as well as fresh-baked goods from Half Crown Bakehouse
A selection of wine, cider, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages
A reading of the Declaration of Independence by Joe Wilson, Jr.
Immersive engagement with costumed interpreters, including George and Martha Washington
Access to the John Brown House Museum, including displays of founding documents, award-winning National History Day projects, and more
A curated wine pull, featuring the chance to win a special edition bottle of George Washington's Cherry Bounce
Complimentary valet parking
Proceeds from the Golden Ball will benefit the Rhode Island Historical Society, helping us achieve our outward-facing mission, including providing RI educators with the resources and training they need to meet an important milestone: implementing the State’s new Social Studies standards. It will also allow us to directly affect thousands of Rhode Island students, not just in 2026, but for years to come. From evergreen resources like our digital RI history textbook and lesson plans, to hands-on experiential learning such as Rhode Island History Day and museum field trips, our work offers the benefits of both depth and breadth, undergirded by our world-class collections.
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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