In the wake of King Philip’s war (1675-78), the spiritual and political center of the Pokanoket tribe – known as Potumtuk (Mount Hope) – was confiscated by Plymouth Colony as a war prize. At this time, many Indigenous Peoples living in the area, some of whom had fought in the war, were sold into slavery in the West Indies. In 1680, Plymouth Colony sold the land to four founding proprietors, who laid out the town of Bristol on the east side of Potumtuk’s peninsula.
Rhode Island Slave History Medallions invites the community to a special Juneteenth Semiquincentennial Living History Celebration at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.
Held on the parade grounds inside the fort, this family-friendly event will commemorate Juneteenth while also honoring the anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the history of the Battle of Rhode Island.Â
We invite all visitors to learn more about RISHM’s events and accomplishments in 2025 and support our Annual Campaign, from Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2025) through 401 Gives Day (April 1, 2026).
RISHM relies on the generous support of private donations to continue the underrepresented but important work of marking the landscape of where slave history happened in Rhode Island.
