Join Rose Island's Public History Program Manager Michael J. Simpson and Museum Research Coordinator Trinity Kendrick for a behind-the-scenes preview of Rose Island: In Peace and At War, a new permanent exhibition opening this October at the brand new Barracks Museum.

Built in 1798 as the first bombproof barracks in the United States, the stone structure has witnessed over two centuries of history, from Revolutionary War defenses to 19th-century quarantine to 20th-century torpedo storage.

This lecture will explore how the barracks space has reflected both war and peace across its many uses, and how curators are transforming one of its rooms into an immersive museum exhibit. Learn about the artifacts, documents, and untold stories that bring Rose Island’s layered past to life, and how this unique site continues to evolve as a place of public history and preservation. Approximately 50 minutes with time for audience questions.