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Edited by Gerald W.R. Ward and Jeannine Falino. Text by Gerald W.R. Ward, Jeannine Falino, Jane Port, Rebecca Ann Gay Reynolds.

The history of American silver offers invaluable insights into the economic and cultural history of the nation itself. Published here for the first time, the Art Institute of Chicago's superb collection embodies innovation and beauty from the colonial era to the present. In the 17th century, silversmiths brought the fashions of their homelands to the colonies, and in the early 18th, new forms arose as technology diversified production. Demand increased in the 19th century as the Industrial Revolution took hold. In the 20th, modernism changed the shape of silver inside and outside the home. This beautifully illustrated volume presents highlights from the collection with stunning photography and entries from leading specialists. In-depth essays relate a fascinating story about eating, drinking, and entertaining that spans the history of the Republic and trace the development of the Art Institute's holdings of American silver over nearly a century.

Take a journey with us back to early America, where Rhode Island's founders laid the groundwork for America's policy of religious freedom. Dr. Patrick T. Conley, Rhode Island's preeminent historian, is our guide for this expedition, teaching us about the individuals and events that shaped Rhode Island's identity. Learn what led Roger Williams to write The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution and discover how James Franklin, older brother of Benjamin, left a lasting impact on the future of American publishing. Find out why Mary Dyer fought for her religious beliefs until she became one of the "Boston martyrs"; how Anne Hutchinson overcame a male-dominated society to allow women the right to preach and teach; and how General Nathanael Greene helped to liberate the South during the American Revolution. These colorful biographies of political, military and religious leaders, artists and craftsmen, scientists and philanthropists illuminate the beginning of America's smallest state, but one that has always exhibited remarkable diversity.