U.S. Civil War.

• The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, will offer its annual Children’s Baking Workshop with Gingersnaps Bakery on Saturday, February 12 at 1pm. This year’s event will have a Valentine’s Day theme and will feature a cookie decorating demonstration with a member of the Gingersnaps Bakery staff, an interactive French Language matching game, baking bingo, and a brief presentation on the history of Valentine’s Day. Baking kits will be available for pickup at the Museum prior to the event and will include: a chef’s hat, apron, recipe card, game printouts, heart-shaped sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles so children can follow along and decorate their own cookies. Tickets are $20 per participant. Space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. Tickets are available for purchase at shopmowc.com.

• At 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 13th, Historian Jim Bailey will offer a presentation on the voyage and great escape of Pirate Captain Henry Every, at the Blackstone Valley Historical Society, North Gate – 1873 Old Louisquisset Pike. An avid detectorist for over 35 years, Bailey’s recovery of a late 17th century Arabian coin in Middletown, led to years of research that ultimately connected the coin to plunder taken by Every and his men of the pirate ship Fancy. Publication of his work in a research journal of the American Numismatic Society in 2017 shed new light on the first worldwide manhunt in history for one of the most notorious criminals of the 17tth century. Henry Every captured one of the richest ships in the history of piracy – a large Mughal vessel off the coast of India in 1695. He later returned to England and vanished from the pages of history, eventually earning titles befitting his infamy – The Pirate King, The Successful Pirate, and The Arch-Pirate. Bailey’s research into the recovery of his coin and other 17th century Arabian coins in southern New England was covered by the Associated Press in April of 2021 and made worldwide headlines as an opening of the world’s oldest cold case. From the recovery of an obscure silver coin no bigger than a thumbnail, a secret from well over three centuries ago was finally revealed: Before returning to England, Every traveled to the American Colonies in the guise of a slave trader and spent time hiding out in Newport, RI. When he sailed for England, he left behind nearly 40 of his men seeking new lives of comfortable obscurity in the American Colonies.

• The North Smithfield Heritage Association (NSHA) kicked off its monthly “Nature and History Walk” series earlier this month at the Booth Pond Conservation Area and nearby Pine Hill. You can find the trailhead at 2 Booth Pond Way at the entrance to The Club at Dowling Village, just between Lowe’s and Aldi in the Dowling Village shopping area in North Smithfield. The NSHA plans to hike every second Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. On February 12, Richard Keene will lead a hike to Wunnashowatuckqut Conservation Area (junction of the Blackstone and Branch Rivers). Meet at Forestdale School, 190 School Street, North Smithfield, RI). Follow their Facebook page for more information. Stay tuned for additional hikes throughout the Blackstone Valley offered by volunteers of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Trail Ambassadors.

• The Cumberland Library takes a deep dive into the latest DNA science when professional Genealogist Marian Pierre Louis joins us on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm on Zoom. She will discuss not only the latest information on personal DNA testing as a tool for exploring your genealogy, but she will also provide insights into the ways in which DNA testing is currently transforming the field. Marian will discuss the various tests now being offered help you determine which test might be right for you and outline the best ways to get the most out of the tests you’ve already taken, and the ones you may take in the future. Marian Pierre-Louis is a genealogy professional whose areas of expertise include: house history research, southern New England research, DNA, and social media. Registration is required for this event in order to receive the zoom link. The link will be sent out at 5 pm on the day of the event. For Information: www.cumberlandlibrary.org or (401) 333-2552 ext. 2