Learn About Life in an American Fortress Saturday July 13, 2013 in Newport RI and Meet the Author of the Newly Released, “True Tales of Life & Death at Fort Adams"
Newport, RI (PRWEB) July 12, 2013 -- “True Tales of Life & Death at Fort Adams,” the critically acclaimed new book by author Kathleen Troost-Cramer, tells important stories about Fort Adams, a Rhode Island icon. A book signing for the newly released History Press publication will take place Saturday, July 13, from 1pm-3pm. Ms. Troost-Cramer will be on site at Historic Fort Adams signing books from inside the Fort’s 19th Century Jail. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own copies for signing or copies may be purchased in the Fort Adams Gift Shop, adjacent to the old Jail.
“True Tales of Life & Death at Fort Adams” from History Press tells the story of North America’s largest coastal fort. This well researched book describes over a century and a half of history as told through the stories of the people who lived and died here.
According to Rick Nagele, Executive Director of the Fort Adams Trust, “Many people call Fort Adams ‘The NASA' of its day. You can enjoy exploring tunnels, living quarters, and understand how this place was designed to defend against attacks from land and sea. Kathleen’s stories bring the place alive.”
Rob McCormack, Visitor Experience Director notes, “It was the primary research and design laboratory for American forts of the early 1800s. It is the largest, most sophisticated coastal fortress in North America. And it had one of the longest active lives of any major American Fortification.”
Although prior fortifications located in what is now Fort Adams State Park saw military action, the current fortress was never attacked by an enemy of the United States. During its long military career (1841 until the 1950s), Fort Adams honorably served the United States as a training base and provided coastal defense for the Civil War, the Spanish American War – when Newport was on high alert – through World Wars I and II.
Troost-Cramer’s book focuses on the stories of the people calling Fort Adams home. As Kathleen would say, “Battles of a more personal nature were frequent, including cases of unsolved murder, freak accidents and a tragic influenza outbreak.” The human drama of Fort Adams is revealed for the first time in these pages and through its stories of life and death. Ms. Troost-Cramer traces the history of this National Historic Landmark through the struggles of its people.
Be sure not to miss this great opportunity to meet the book’s author and learn more about the tales of this mighty fortress.
About the Author:
Kathleen Troost-Cramer grew up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and developed a fascination with local history at an early age. This interest led to a twenty-four-season career as a tour guide at various locations, including the Newport mansions, the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum in Fall River and Fort Adams, where Kathleen developed the original Halloween attraction Fortress of Nightmares. Kathleen is currently pursuing a PhD in biblical studies from Boston University School of Theology. True Tales is her first published work.
About the Fort Adams Trust:
Founded in 1994, is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization charged with directing and supporting the stabilization, restoration, maintenance, and operation of Fort Adams as a historic site. Today, Fort Adams is evolving into Newport’s Adventure learning destination.
The Trust conducts educational, cultural, and interpretive programs and activities and generates revenues through other programs to financially sustain the Fort. People and organizations can rent the Fort for parties, weddings, corporate meetings, and other activities.
Rob McCormack, The Fort Adams Trust, http://www.fortadams.org, 401-619-5802, [email protected]
Share this article