Middletown Rotary Club Welcomes Historian Steve Marino
May 28, 2025
At our May 28th meeting, the Middletown Rotary Club was pleased to welcome local historian and educator Steve Marino as our guest speaker. With a rich academic background that includes degrees from Williams College, Brown University, and the Hartford Seminary, Steve taught history in Connecticut for 35 years before retiring to Newport. Since 2008, he has been a passionate tour guide at Fort Adams and currently serves on the Board of the Museum of Newport Irish History.
Steve delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “How Fort Adams Saved Newport,” where he made a compelling case for the fort’s critical role in the city’s revival following the War of 1812. He described how Newport, once a thriving shipping port, had fallen on hard times due to wartime disruptions and trade embargoes. However, the construction of Fort Adams in the 1820s became a turning point. The massive building project brought an influx of workers, new residents, and much-needed economic activity — revitalizing the city and helping to reshape it into a vibrant and desirable place to live and work.
Steve’s engaging storytelling and historical insights were truly a highlight of the evening. We thank him for sharing his knowledge and helping us see Newport’s history through a new lens.