Museum of Newport History – Newport, Rhode Island
It is true that the history of a community, state or the nation should be maintained to the best ability possible. In Rhode Island one of those sanctuaries for precious artifacts, documents and memorabilia is the museum of Newport History. It allows for those visiting Newport to gain insight into the founding of the community and the history of the people of the area. The Museum provides an introduction to the area’s rich history, architecture as well as the stories of the people that made Newport one of America’s most important historic cities.
There are displays showing the men and women who worked and played along Newport’s bustling waterfront. Stories of the 17th century English settlers who first settled in the area based on religious toleration which shaped the town’s later history. See displays showing the Goddard-Townsed craftsmen who where the finest furniture makers in America.
There are over 10,000 objects and more than 500 paintings, prints and maps for you to see. The collection is comprised of articles from daily life over 300 years of the history of the community of Newport.
The photographic collections is a treasure showing the past as it showcases the people, places and events that are part of the history of Newport. There are historic photographs in all types of formats from daguerreotypes to the current day.
The library contains approximately 12,000 volumes, and the special collections consist of 1,500 shelf feed of manuscripts and archival material. They show the history of the region around the 18th century.
Research services are available to provide a history of specific houses and buildings in the area. There are directory listings, obituaries and biographical information to tell the story of the buildings.
The Newport Historical Society has a long history of caring for the artifacts of the area. It was first chartered in 1854 to collect and preserve books, manuscripts and objects pertaining to Newport’s history. In time the Society recognized the fact that they needed a permanent home. They bought the old Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House which had been constructed in 1730 in 1884. This building has been maintained and used by the Society since that time.
As the holdings of the Society continued to increase, the need for more space and security became evident. Ground was broken in 1902 for a brick library building on the Touro Street side of the lot. The new building provided office space for the Society, a fireproof vault for historic documents, and a library. In 1915, the meeting house was detached from the library and moved to the rear of the lot. A three story brick building was constructed between the library and the meeting house. Brick veneer, a slate roof, and steel shutters were added to the exterior of the meeting house to make its exterior covering consistent with the adjoining structures, and to provide added protection from the weather and the threat of fire.
Tours with a guide are offered of the Historic area during the summer season. You can stroll through exquisitely preserved living neighborhoods and see how the past stays alive in this area. You will hear stories of the revolution and ruin, struggles for religious liberty, and remarkable entrepreneurship among the early citizens of the community.
Location: 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840 (Society Headquarters)
Phone: (401) 846-0813
Open to the Public
Tuesday-Friday: 9:30 am- 4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – noon
Closed on Monday
For research, appointments are
strongly recommended.
The Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market is at the foot of Washington Square where it intersects with Touro Street.
The Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, 17 Broadway.
The Great Friends Meeting House, corner Broadway and Marlborough.
From Points South: Take Interstate 95 North to Route 138 East (exit 3). Follow signs for the Jamestown and Newport Bridges. Take the first exit off the Newport Bridge, and turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Farewell Street. Go straight through a set of traffic lights (you will then pass between two cemeteries). At the next set of lights (a fork in the road) bear right. At the second set of lights, turn left onto Marlborough Street. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Thames Street. At the first set of lights, the Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market will be immediately on the right. For the Newport Historical Society, take an immediate left onto Touro Street after the lights. Go through one set of lights and you will see our red brick building next door to Touro Synagogue. For the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, take an immediate left onto Touro Street after the lights. At the next set of lights turn left, then turn right at the stop sign. The house is at the end of the block on the right at 17 Broadway. For the Great Friends Meeting House, continue on Marlborough Street to the second stop sign. The Great Friends Meeting House will be ahead on the left. The Newport Colony House is located at the top of Washington Square. Take an immediate left onto Touro Street after the lights. At the next set of lights turn left. Take your first left and the Colony House is the brick building on your right.
From Points North: Take Route 195 to Route 24 South. The exit appears about a 2 mile beyond a short highway tunnel. Continue on Route 24 South to Route 114 South. This is called West Main Road in the towns of Portsmouth and Middletown and becomes Broadway in Newport. You will be on Route 114 for 15-20 minutes. As you approach the end of Broadway, there will be a small city park on the left. Continue straight and you will see the Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market directly ahead. For the Newport Historical Society, take the left turn that circles around the park onto Touro Street. Go through one set of lights and you will see our red brick building next door to Touro Synagogue. The Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House is located at 17 Broadway. For the Great Friends Meeting House, bear right at the fork in the road after Newport City Hall on Broadway. The Great Friends Meeting House will be on the right. The Newport Colony House is located at the top of Washington Square. Broadway becomes Washington Square.
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