The Cato Vernon Freedom Library at Vernon House
Created in partnership with the Newport Restoration Foundation.
Free and open to the public October 3-November 22, 2026.
A kaleidoscopic response to the life of Private Cato Vernon and what it takes to uncover our collective history. Help us discover more about this African heritage Revolutionary War soldier, carpenter and Black Newporter who lived in the Vernon House from 1774-1776(?).
As we work together to tell the story of Cato Vernon we'll also tell the better story of us.
Learn more about the exhibition and special events in the Cato Vernon Freedom Library
Lead Artists
Rebecca Noon
Rebecca is a community arts organizer, deviser, and administrator who lives in Newport. She has created original live community-based performance since 2010, mostly in Rhode Island, but other places too.
Rebecca has been a Lead Artist on every Center Aquidneck project (so far)
Jed Hancock-Brainerd
Born and raised in Newport, Jed got his BFA in Acting from URI and an MFA in Devised Theater from the London International School of Performing Arts. Today, he is a theater-maker, performance educator and support staff member at Bike Newport. He teaches at Salve Regina and offers private lessons in the Alexander Technique.
Jed has been a Lead Artist on every Center Aquidneck project (so far)
Jane Carey
Jane Carey is a Newport native whose working career was off-island as an Art Director and Book Designer for technology, trade and college textbooks at Artech House, Beacon Press and Harcourt Brace. Her local interests include a revival of the city’s cemetery commission and research contributions of Newport’s historic landscapes to the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens.
Jane was also the Lead Researcher on Center Aquidneck’s Life After Life.
Dominique Sindayiganza
Dominique Sindayiganza is a photographer who uses his camera to create and celebrate community. In his long-term personal photo series, entitled “HOMECOMING”, he focuses on photographing strangers at home.
He lives in Providence, RI with his wife and 3 daughters.
Dominique was also the Production Photographer on Center Aquidneck’s Life After Life.
Contributing Artists
Peter Coriander, Voiceover Narration in the Auditorium
Peter is a native Newporter who has lived in NY, MA, and CT and returned home in 2021. He is a humanitarian professional and he serves on several local non profits boards. For fun, he is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys playing with his two poodles. He can usually be found enjoying Newport’s waterfront and many delicious restaurants. Peter has had the opportunity to be an extra in Newport’s locally filmed movie, Amistad.
Peter played Mintus in Center Aquidneck’s Life After Life.
Kelly Robertson, Workshop Leader
Kelly (she/her) is an actor and clown based in Providence, where she lives with her partner and three cats! Kelly has a BA in Acting from Dean College and is an alumnus of Atlantic Acting School’s intensive in NYC. Kelly also has certification for teaching applied theatre, which she uses in her work teaching in New England and was the founding Theatre Program Director at The Croft School. Kelly’s acted with Burbage Theatre Co, Wilbury Theatre, the Gamm, and Trinity Rep. You might see her in commercials for cat littler and Woobles crochet!
Kelly played Desire Tripp and Henrietta Tew in Center Aquidneck’s Life After Life.
Keith Stokes, Speaker
Throughout his four decades of public service, Keith W. Stokes has remained dedicated to building a community that welcomes everyone who calls the Ocean State home. He has served in various roles, including as an elected official in Newport and a gubernatorial appointee focused on economic development. He led business development efforts in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. Keith is a 9th-generation Rhode Islander who calls Newport home with his beloved wife Theresa. He is the father of four children and an extended clan of Pit Bull dogs that he rescues and nurtures.
Keith gave vital research support to Center Aquidneck’s Life After Life.
Eric E. Sung, Speaker and Photography Exhibit
Eric Sung is a lens-based artist, scholar, and cultural worker whose interdisciplinary practice bridges art, scholarship, and community engagement. His work has been presented internationally in distinguished peer-reviewed and juried venues, including the Society for Photographic Education, International Visual Literacy Association, IARSLCE, and Imagining America.
The Cato Vernon Freedom Library is made possible in part by BankNewport and a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250) and through funding support from Rhode Island Humanities, an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. RI Humanities seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.
