2:00 p.m. October 15, 2017
BVHS (North Gate, Downstairs)
1873 Old Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865
A talk about President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his friend and advisor, Rhode Island native son William “Bill” Edward Robinson, by Madeleine O. Robinson, PhD (URI ’80).
Free. Light refreshments.
Even as a young girl, Madeleine was always fascinated by the career of her cousin, Bill Robinson. Brought up in Central Falls, Bill was drafted into the army shortly after he graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1918. However, the war ended before he completed his training in New York City. He decided to stay there, and enrolled as a student at New York University. To support himself, he reported campus news to a local newspaper as well as gathered ads. Thus, he began his career in advertising.
At times Bill would come home to Rhode Island to visit. Some of these visits included ones to Madeleine’s family in Cumberland, especially to see her father, Thomas “Tom” Robinson, who was one year younger than Bill and a former childhood friend. Both attended Holy Trinity School in Central Falls.
Over the years, her father would keep Madeleine and family updated on Bill’s activities. Those reports became more and more interesting as Bill advanced in the newspaper world in New York.
Beginning in 1944, Bill became involved with Eisenhower in attempting to revive the international edition of the New York Herald Tribune in France. Gradually they became friends as Ike took over the presidency of Columbia University, then through the presidential campaign, into the White House years and beyond.
Madeleine’s talk will emphasize the unique relationship of two boys who began life in opposite directions, and who might not ever have met in ordinary life.
Copies of the bound and printed article will be for sale at the lecture for $2.00 each.
3:00 PM, November 5, 2017
Blackstone Valley Historical Society
1873 Old Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln, RI 02865
Michael DiMucci in Concert: Americana: Songs from America’s History, from the Revolution to World War I.
This is a fundraiser for BVHS. Tickets $20.00
Tickets are on sale at http://www.brownpapertickets.
Finally, October is Archaeology Month. Here is the list of activities this month from the RIHPHC: http://www.preservation.ri.gov/archaeology/17october.php