On Sept. 28, Mendon Historical Society member, Dennis LaPlante, will give a PowerPoint presentation on Fort Ninigret, a 17th century fortified settlement in Charlestown, RI; Conanicut Battery, an 18th century fortification in Jamestown, RI; and the 1778 “Battle of Rhode Island” during which a number of British ships were scuttled including the discovery of Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavor, and the process Dennis employs to build historical ship models.

Dennis received a BA in Anthropology with a concentration in Archeology from URI and an MBA in Management from Bryant University. He also has a degree in Boatbuilding and Design from the Marine Trade Center in Deep Cove, Eastport, Maine. 

He is a member of the Nautical Research Guild, the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, and The USS Constitution Museum. 

Dennis, his wife Heather, and their three children (Avery, Hannah, and Gregg) have lived in Mendon for the past 27 years. 

The program will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m. at the Mendon Senior Center. Reservations are suggested. To RSVP or for more information, email [email protected].

Submitted by the Mendon Historical Society