Special Events & Programs

Annual Cocktail Party to Benefit The Watch Hill Conservancy on Friday June 26th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, at The Misquamicut Beach Club, 22 Fort Road, Watch Hill.   Payment Options

Join Captain Jack Spratt as he commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a compelling story of the Revolutionary War along our shores. In 1775 and 1777, continental privateers—the “maritime militia”—sailed from our waters, driven by both patriotism and the promise of profit. By capturing British merchant ships, they kept the “Struggle for American Liberty” fed and armed at its most desperate hour while drastically disrupting British commerce throughout the Atlantic Basin. British warships chased, engaged, and seized American privateers off Watch Hill, treating them as pirates and sending many to the notorious prison ships anchored in New York Harbor at Wallabout Bay, where the infamous HMS Jersey became a symbol of suffering and sacrifice. Stonington and Fishers Island endured British foraging raids, while Gardiners Island, firmly Loyalist along with much of Long Island, stood with the Crown, creating a stark divide across the Sound. This is a story of how ordinary sailors and their neighbors, in what was truly our country’s first civil war, helped win the struggle for independence. As part of the program, Captain Jack will also share recommended local Revolutionary War sites to explore during this remarkable milestone of democracy. The event is free and open to the public. Presented by The Westerly Historical Society, with support from The Watch Hill Conservancy and Grey Sail Brewing.  

Presented by Norman Smith, Raptor Specialist Snowy Owl Project, Mass Audubon, Lincoln, MA Since 1981, raptor specialist Norman Smith has spent countless days and nights, in every imaginable weather condition, observing, capturing, banding, and relocating Snowy Owls from Logan International Airport. Affectionately called “the Owl Man of Logan Airport,” Smith has single-handedly relocated more than 900 of these magnificent birds, gathering valuable data on their roosting patterns, hunting behavior, and seasonal movements. Enjoy a screening of this award-winning documentary short about his work, followed by a live presentation and Q&A with Norman to find out what he has learned, what questions remain and how this project expanded to include studies of Northern Saw-whet Owl populations.

Each spring and fall, tens to hundreds of thousands of birds move across the Napatree Point Conservation Area under the cover of darkness, passing overhead in one of nature's most extraordinary yet largely invisible phenomena. This presentation invites you into an evening exploration of bird migration, with a special focus on the hidden world of nocturnal songbird migration along the Rhode Island coast.  Join Sam Miller, non-game bird wildlife biologist as he describes the remarkable strategies birds use to travel between breeding, stopover, and wintering habitats across vast geographic scales, and the challenges they face along the way. Deepen your appreciation for this hidden natural phenomenon, and learn practical conservation strategies, many of which you can practice to protect birds during one of nature’s most remarkable journeys.

The Stanton-Davis House and property are all that remain of the vast 17th and 18th century holdings of the Stanton Family of Stonington, CT. The lecture will present the history of the house, property, and its owners, and describe the methods and process of building archaeology, revealing the evolution of this grand house and the technology of its construction and alteration. 

Watch Hill’s homes are an essential part of the community’s identity and coastal heritage. Many of these properties were built centuries ago with exceptional craftsmanship, yet they face increasing challenges from aging materials, intense coastal conditions, and changing weather patterns. This educational presentation, designed for both full time residents and seasonal homeowners, focuses on responsible stewardship: how thoughtful maintenance, resilience planning, and appropriate protection work together to help preserve older homes while respecting their important history and character.

Join Catherine Shotick, inaugural director of the highly anticipated Westerly Museum of American Impressionism as she discusses how artists working along the Northeast coast shaped a distinctly American interpretation of Impressionism. Drawing from works in the museum’s collection, she examines key artist colonies—from Ogunquit, Maine, to Cape Ann, Old Lyme, and coastal Rhode Island—where painters responded directly to the region’s light, atmosphere, and seasonal rhythms.  Through selected case studies, the presentation considers how place, community, and environment informed both subject matter and technique, resulting in paintings that are at once regionally grounded and central to the broader narrative of American art.  

Join us for a yoga session suitable for ALL LEVELS, while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Napatree Point Conservation Area! Join the Watch Hill Conservancy and Chris Liguori, owner of Yogastha Living, for a practice that includes breath work, stretching and a gentle Vinyasa flow that promotes vitality in the peaceful surroundings of the Napatree Point Conservation Area. Expect a welcoming, supportive practice that blends gentle flow, mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and relaxation to nurture both body and mind. Suitable for all levels! Chris is certified in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and meditation, bringing a holistic approach to wellness that integrates yogic wisdom, mindfulness, and self-care.  We welcome new and experienced yogis, so come as you are and leave feeling grounded, and more connected to local nature and yourself. What to Expect: Gentle, accessible yoga suitable for all levels Mindful breathing and meditation Relaxation in a beautiful natural setting Heart-centered practices for self-care and well-being A welcoming atmosphere  Arrive 10 minutes prior to start.  Bring a towel or mat and water.  We will be in the sun, so consider sunscreen or protective clothing.  In the event of rain, we will move the session to 1 Bay Street in the Lanphear Livery Reading Room. Program cancellations or changes will be communicated via Eventbrite and/or email.. This program is designed to last 60 minutes so participants can utilize the free parking along Bay Street. This is a FREE program.   REGISTER HERE

Dr. J. Douglas Nisbet Rhode Island Acadamy of Wine, Providence, RI

Napatree Point Conservation Area Cleanup. Join us on Sunday, September 20th from 10 am - 12 pm. All cleanup supplies with be provided. REGISTER HERE

Bat Boy Filmmaker: Aaron Lemle Running Time: 20 mins (FREE public event) This Halloween weekend, come hang with the bats!  Join us for Bat Boy, a touching and unexpected short film by Aaron Lemle that explores the beautiful connection between a misunderstood autistic young man and the bats he loves. Then, get ready to go batty with Dr. Peter V. August as he presents Bats in Rhode Island: Their Natural History and Importance to Society. Discover the incredible diversity of bats around the world, learn about the bats in our own backyard, and uncover the surprising economic, ecological, and medical ways these gentle little mammals contribute to society. You may even leave wondering why we ever thought bats were scary! Following the presentation, don’t fly away, stick around for a short, bat-tastic Q&A all about bats!   Aaron Lemle is an independent film producer and director based in LA. He created the full-service production company, A Type Productions LLC that makes films for start-ups, non-profits, government organizations, and education and art institutions around the world. His films have been shown in notable festivals including San Diego International Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, KCET Fine Cut, the San Francisco Doc Fest and have been broadcast on PBS POV.   Peter August is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island. He holds a B.S. degree (Biology) from the University of San Diego, an M.S. degree (Biology) from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. degree (Biology) from Boston University. His dissertation topic was community ecology of small mammals and bats in tropical forests of Venezuela. He has been a science advisor for the Napatree Point Conservation Area in Watch Hill since 2010 and in 2024 August, co-authored the book Napatree Point: A Decade of Stewardship. REGISTER HERE