Block Island Historical Society

Collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing Block Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future
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Block Island Resources

Block Island Beginnings

Discover the early history of Block Island in this virtual exhibit, featuring interviews with archaeologist Kevin McBride and Board member Gerry Abbott.

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Oral History

Explore over one hundred recordings of stories told by island residents. Collected beginning in 2000, these stories offer an intimate, personal way of preserving and sharing the heritage of this unique place.

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Still Here

Reflect on the history — and the present — of the Manissean Tribe on Block Island in the short film Still Here: A Conversation with Maryann Gobern Mathews.

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On the Corner …

The Society was founded in 1942. To help celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2017, The Block Island Times published a series of sketches and photographs of items in our collection.

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Photo Archive

Browse a selection of historic postcards and photographs from the Society’s collection. If you’d like to see more, pay us a visit.

See the Images

Block Island Timeline

Explore key events in the history of Block Island, starting with the Niantic settlement about 1500 years ago. Click any of the events to learn more.

Travel through time

Events

Today
Seeking Shelter: A Story of Faith, Place, and Resistance

Seeking Shelter: A Story of Place, Faith, and Resistance

Block Island Historical Society 18 Old Town Road, Block Island

Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan and theologian and civil rights lawyer William Stringfellow belonged to an old American tradition — faith-based activism. During the 1960s and afterward, the two friends were activist opponents of the war in Vietnam and campaigners for civil rights, social justice in the Christian tradition, nuclear disarmament, and the environment. The multi-media exhibition that tells this intriguing, moving, and timely story made its debut at the Island Free Library in July of 2017, and returns to the Island after a four-year tour to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Block Island Arts and Crafts Guild Art Fair Poster
Recurring

Block Island Arts & Crafts Guild Fair

The Block Island Arts and Crafts Guild presents summer Art Fairs on the lawn of the Historical Society. Proceeds support local student scholarships.

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Visit

Museum

Our Museum offers a rich collection of artifacts and memorabilia that bring to life the history of the island over the past 3,500 years. Exhibits change regularly.

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Tours

Take guided walking tours of the Old Harbor, a Manissean Village site, and more — including personalized genealogical tours to help you explore your own Block Island heritage.

Explore Tours

Shop

The Museum Shop is a great place to find artwork by island artists, as well as historical photos, maps, posters, T-shirts, postcards, and all things Block Island.

Browse the Shop

Private Events

Interested in hosting a private event at the Society? Talk to us!

Ask about Private Events