The British Are Coming… Again!

When it comes to history, we New Englanders are pretty spoiled. Evidence of the area’s evolution from settlements to colonies to states are right here in the open, most notably in our architecture. As the birthplace of the American Revolution, local history buffs have a particular soft spot for our colonial era and the stewards of The General Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry are no exception.

On May 14 and 15, reenactors will don tri-corner hats, grab their trusty muskets and square off across the 15 acre grounds surrounding the home of General Greene, George Washington’s second in command. Reenactors will play out an imaginary “what if” scenario over two battles each day and visitors can tour the homestead, restored to all of its 1770 glory.

The homestead sits along the Pawtuxet River. During the time of the Revolutionary War, the British controlled Narragansett Bay and there is a longstanding local legend that the Red Coats had plotted to cross the river and lay siege to General Greene’s home. The attack would have been devastating, as the General’s family would have been captured or worse. This is the drama that will unfold, as British soldiers and loyalists clash with Continental militiamen and their French brothers in arms. Nitpickers might call the presence of Mijo’s taco truck apocryphal, but as we all know, tacos are a foodstuff powerful enough to transcend our limited understanding of space and time. Don’t forget your earplugs, history buffs, as cannons are sure to be a-blasting. 50 Taft Street, Coventry.