The sloop Providence, initially known as Katy, was part of a fleet owned by John Brown of Providence, Rhode Island. Dating back to 1769, the ship’s recorded voyages reveal its versatile use as a merchant ship, privateer, and whaler during its early years.
In 1966, a young Harvard graduate in Rhode Island named John Fitzhugh Millar became aware of the approaching American Bicentennial. Noticing that few people were acknowledging this significant milestone, Millar believed that Newport, being a maritime hub and the catalyst for the establishment of the Continental Navy, should contribute to the upcoming national celebration by emphasizing the maritime aspect of Revolutionary history.
Sign up to learn about our special events, promotions and #TallShipTuesday, our weekly educational video series.
