$5,000 Reward offered for return of bronze Bannister gravesite plaque

Photo: Newport Art Museum archives

A $5,000 cash reward is offered for the return of the bronze plaque stolen from the gravesite of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bannister at the North Burial Ground in Providence.

The larger of two bronze plaques was removed from the stone monument within the last few days.

Ray Rickman, founder of Stages of Freedom, told RINewsToday that, “Both culturally, artistically, – and spiritually – going into a cemetery and stealing this plaque is one of the lowest things you can do. Going into a cemetery? Well, we won’t ask questions, we don’t know people’s stories – we just want it back.”

With that, Rickman announced that a $5,000 cash reward has been put together with one half coming from Stages of Freedom and the rest from Caleb Horton, a city archivist, and Charles Roberts, of RI Slave History Medallions.

Rickman says he has been encouraged to share “our awful story”, in the hopes that someone will know who took it and let them know that our reward is worth much more than what they could get by selling it to be melted down – and it is a good deed to make up for a very bad one. “We hope, sincerely, to encourage the return of this plaque, and we will arrange for a secure transaction if the person calls us, anonymously, at 401-421-0606.

Who was Edward M. Bannister?

Bannister was a fine artist who was the founder of the RI School of Design and the Providence Art Club – watch the video to learn more about his significance in the state of Rhode Island – and the art world:

See here for more information on Bannister – from Stages of Freedom:

https://www.stagesoffreedom.org/the-bannisters