Throughout his life, Peter Quire demonstrated a dedication to Black liberation and community building across the Northeast. Peter was born on June 15th, 1806 in Pennsylvania. As a young man, he worked as a driver for Dr. Joseph Parrish in Philadelphia. Parrish was a prominent Quaker figure in the region, and was, for years, the president of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery.
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.
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.
