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Boston Globe

Rhode Islanders didn't just burn the Gaspee, they torched British tea weeks before the American Revolution began

Advertisement British parliament had imposed a tax on the colonies in 1773 that rendered American tea more expensive than its British counterpart, which the colonists declared unfair 'taxation without representation.' Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up 'This act of defiance positioned Rhode Island women at the forefront of the revolutionary movement and strengthened opposition to British rule,' the historical society wrote. At least Rhode Island will commemorate the Providence Tea Party's 250th anniversary next month with a 'living history event.' A plaque on the South Main Street side of Market House in Providence, R.I., commemorates the Providence Tea Party. It reads: "Near this Spot, The Men and Women of Providence Showed their resistance to Unjust Taxation by Burning British Taxed Tea in the night of March 2nd 1775." Carlos Muñoz Many Rhode Islanders consider the burning of the British customs schooner 'Nobody knows that well before anybody pushed a tea bag off a civilian ship in Boston Harbor, Rhode Islanders blew up a military vessel,' US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse told the 'They got drunk, painted themselves like Indians and pushed tea bags into the Boston Harbor, which we in Rhode Island think is pretty weak tea compared to blowing up the goddamn boat and shooting its captain,' Whitehouse told The Post. Advertisement Now known as The Gaspee Affair, the burning of the Gaspee is commemorated each year with a parade and a In recent years, Rhode Islanders invoked The John Brown House Museum will officially commemorate the Providence Tea Party with a 'living history event' on March 1, led by Secretary of State Gregg Amore and Rhode Island Historical Society Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe. Tickets can be purchased at the 'This weekend of programming allows Rhode Islanders to engage with our revolutionary past in a tangible way, highlighting the courage and activism of the women of Providence,' Amore said in a press release. 'I encourage all Rhode Islanders to join us and get involved with the efforts of the RI250 Commission and other organizations to commemorate our nation's anniversary in 2026.' A list of RI250 events can be found at Carlos Muñoz can be reached at