Brits Attack Bristol (and lose!)

The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and the Bristol 250 Commission have joined forces to sponsor a weekend of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of two Revolutionary-era incidents that occurred in Bristol, known collectively as the Bristol Raids. We invite the public to join us for a weekend of re-enactments, tours and festivities. These events will take place on May 16 through May 18, 2025, in Bristol, RI.

Detailed information and updates can be found here.

The weekend will be anchored by the arrival of the tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry, which will dock at the Herreshoff Marine Museum and will be open for public tours on Saturday and Sunday. The tours cost $10/person and will be available on a first come/ first served basis (no advance tickets will be sold). Visitors can also enjoy other activities on the Herreshoff dock during these hours, including event-related crafts and other scientific demonstrations.

We are delighted to announce that participants will have the opportunity to sail on the Oliver Hazard Perry as it arrives in Bristol.

On Saturday May 17, at 10 am, we will host the first of two full scale re-enactments of the Bristol Raids. The public is invited to join us as members of the United Train of Artillery, the Kingston Reds, the HM Tenth Regiment of Foot in America, the 54th Regiment of Foot, the 2nd RI Regiment, and the Bristol Train of Artillery re-enact the Bombardment of Bristol at the Herreshoff Marine Museum dock, using the Oliver Hazard Perry as a stand-in for the British ships. This event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday May 17 at 1 pm, we invite the public to join our second re-enactment, as members of the United Train of Artillery, the Kingston Reds, the HM Tenth Regiment of Foot in America, the 54th Regiment of Foot, the 2nd RI Regiment, and the Bristol Train of Artillery portray the Burning of Bristol. The re-enactment teams will start “burning houses” at Guiteras Field, located at the intersection of Hope St. and Washington St. They will move south along Thames St. to Independence Park, where they will re-enact a skirmish between British and Patriot forces. After the skirmish ends, the Patriots will pursue the British south along Thames St. to Rockwell Park. This event is also free and open to the public.

Advanced tickets for most of these events can be purchased at www.bhpsri.org.