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.
Description
Join the Rhode Island Historical Society virtually on Thursday, February 18th, at 7pm for The Heart Line of America: How Disney Became More than a Theme Park, presented by Bethanee Bemis, Museum Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
How did a theme park become an American pilgrimage place? What does Walt Disney World have to do with American identity? This tour through 100 years of Disney history will track how Disney parks built on Disney's previous film work to become quasi-official epicenters of the American experience.
This talk is part of the Rhode Island Historical Society's 2026 programming honoring the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Throughout the year, we will host talks, performances, living history events, tastings, and more that explore Rhode Island's part in shaping our nation's history and culture from 1776 to 1976.
Bethanee Bemis is a public historian specializing in public memory of the national narrative, currently working at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. She is the author of Disney Theme Parks and America's National Narratives: Mirror, Mirror for Us All.
Date & Time
Wed, Feb 18, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM