The American chestnut once dominated portions of the eastern U.S. forests, from Maine to Mississippi. Numbering in the billions, the tree was one of the tallest and fastest growing in those regions. Pollinators depended on the flowers, and wildlife, livestock, and people relied on its nutritious nut. Tall and fast-growing, the tree’s wood was rot-resistant and straight-grained, making it an excellent source of lumber.
In the late 1800s, a deadly blight, Cryphonectria parasitica, was inadvertently imported to the U.S. from Asia as global horticultural trade increased. The American chestnut had no resistance, and in fewer than 50 years, the fungus had eliminated it as a mature forest tree, rendering it functionally extinct.
CLEAR DAY THUNDER: Rescuing the American Chestnut, features interviews with scientists, volunteers, and luminaries. Best-selling author Barbara Kingsolver, Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, country music legend Dolly Parton, and former President Jimmy Carter are just a few of the well-known figures committed to this historic conservation effort.
After the screening, the Secretary of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Chapter of the American Chestnut Association, Yvonne Federowicz, will share the history of the chestnut in Rhode Island and take questions from the audience.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
Find more Rhode Island Historical Society Events and Community & Culture events in Providence
Add To Calendar
Share 