The Cato Vernon Freedom Library at Vernon House
Service, Honor, and Freedom explored in partnership with the Newport Restoration Foundation.
Free and open to the public October 3-November 22, 2026.
Cato Vernon Lived Here.
Teenage Cato Vernon lived at 46 Clarke St. In 1778 he enlisted in the Revolutionary War in exchange for his freedom.
Though he fought honorably in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, he didn’t receive his pay and ended up in debtor’s prison.
We dedicate this Freedom Library to the memory of Cato Vernon and everyone who has chosen service as a way to get free.
WHERE
The first floor of 46 Clarke St (aka, Vernon House)In consultation with researchers, artists and community members we’ll create a two-room installation. In one room visitors will learn about Private Cato Vernon alongside big ideas of why people choose to enlist in military service in order to get free. In the other room we’ll have a combination of public events and drop-in activities related to ideas of freedom and service.
WHAT
An installation and event space for History, Art, Conversation, Books, and MoreThe artist-researchers will staff the rooms, which will have cozy furniture, complimentary snacks, and a library of books. Throughout the installation we’ll roll out programming from local organizations. Concerts, readings, art activities, and more, all free of charge. The room is also available for anyone who needs a warm and comfortable environment — homework groups, knitting clubs, and anything else you can think of.
WHEN
October 3-November 22, 2026Specific open hours coming soon. We commit to the Cato Vernon Freedom Library being open six days a week for all seven weeks.
Get Involved
The Freedom Library will be open from October 3 - November 22, 2026.
There will be a variety of free community events throughout the installation. You can see the calendar of events, suggest one and learn more here.
There will be ongoing drop-in activities and a selection of books that supported the research of the project available during all open hours. You can see a selection of the books, suggest books and learn more here.
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.
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.
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.
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.