Free Lecture Series Launches at Museum of Work & Culture January 12
Valley Talks Restart with Stadium Theatre Restoration Presentation
WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Valley Talks, a series of biweekly historical lectures, begins January 12. All events are free and take place at 1:30pm at the Museum of Work & Culture. This year’s series will focus on the Rhode Island Historical Society’s 2020 theme, Spotlight Rhode Island, highlighting performing arts and artists throughout the state.
The series will kick-off with SOS: Saving our Stadium, a talk by Stadium restoration lead architect Dan Peloquin.
In this presentation, Peloquin will share a first-hand account of the process to rescue and refurbish Woonsocket’s own Stadium Theatre. Built in 1926, the Stadium was opened by Arthur Daman so locals could access high quality entertainment “right here at home.” Peloquin will discuss this history and how Daman’s dream inspired the 1997-2001 restoration efforts, spearheaded by a small group of volunteers. Having been involved in every aspect of the restoration of the theatre and renovation of the Stadium Conservatory, Peloquin is uniquely situated to present on this beloved Woonsocket landmark.
Peloquin is a lifelong Woonsocket resident, owner and principal architect of dpArchitect, and founding member of the Stadium Theatre Foundation. He joined the Stadium restoration effort early on, when its volunteer group was known as “SOS – Save our Stadium.” He has since served as a member of the Stadium Board of Directors, Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Foundation.
Seating is limited to 75 and is first-come, first-served.
Other Valley Talks will include:
January 26: Rhode Island International Film Festival Executive Director George Marshall presents on the history of the festival, which began in Woonsocket, and screen 2019 Festival winner “A Sister”.
February 9: Former Providence Journal music critic Rick Massimo explores the history of the Newport Folk Festival through stories, music and images captured in his new book I Got a Song.
February 23: Writer Jeanne Douillard examines the initial move of French settlers from France to Canada, their transformation into British subjects, and their eventual immigration to New England.
March 8: Paul & Denise Bourget discusses how they transform themselves into Brevet Major General George Sears Greene and Mrs. Martha Greene & their dedication to historical reenacting.
March 22: Filmmaker Christian de Rezendes offers a preview of his historical documentary series Slatersville: America’s First Mill Village highlighting the French-Canadian portion of the story.
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About the Museum of Work & Culture
The interactive and educational Museum of Work & Culture shares the stories of the men, women, and children who came to find a better life in Rhode Island’s mill towns in the late 19th- and 20th centuries. It recently received a Rhode Island Monthly Best of Rhode Island Award for its SensAbilities Saturdays all-ability program.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
Founded in 1822, the RIHS, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the fourth-oldest historical society in the United States and is Rhode Island’s largest and oldest historical organization. In Providence, the RIHS owns and operates the John Brown House Museum, a designated National Historic Landmark, built in 1788; the Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; and the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, where archival, book and image collections are housed. In Woonsocket, the RIHS manages the Museum of Work and Culture, a community museum examining the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of the workers and settlers, especially French-Canadians, who made it one of the state’s most distinctive areas.