Explore the colonial side of Newport, Rhode Island.
The eastern seaboard of the United States is full of colonial towns and cities. You can no longer find many remnants of the colonial days in many of these towns and cities (New York City for example). Others are full of colonial architecture and celebrate their colonial pasts, like Boston and its Freedom Trail. Newport, Rhode Island, is one of those cities that relishes its past. While more famous for its Gilded Age mansions, Newport is full of colonial architecture that is simply amazing.
The Breakers, one of those ridiculous but fantastic Newport Gilded Age mansions.
Newport was founded all the way back in 1639 on the island that gave the state of Rhode Island its name (now known as Aquidneck Island). Newport grew with its port and became an important trading hub during the colonial era. Fleeing from the Inquisition, Portuguese Jews, with their commercial connections, really helped Newport become a powerhouse of trade. They founded the second oldest Jewish congregation in the United States here in Newport, a town where they could worship freely.
During the American Revolution, the British attacked and captured the city, which they held for three years. It was liberated by the French and used as a base of operations for their effort in the war. The American Revolution was devastating to the city. Trade was hampered and merchants left. Over 200 abandoned buildings were torn down in 1780, luckily many still survive. Newport still has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation.
The Old Colony House served as the colonial capital and shared state capital status with the main capital building in Providence. The building was completed in 1741 and one of the best-preserved buildings from this time period.
This building could really pass as a newer building, but in fact it is the old Brick Market built in 1762. Now it is home to the Museum of Newport History, a fantastic museum.
The Billings Coggeshall House, built in 1748.
The Beriah Brown House, built in 1709.
Not sure when this was built, but I love this house.
This house was built in 1711. I love the blue.
This was built in 1780 at the tail end of the colonial era.
One of my favorites. The John Bannister House built in 1761.
The mysterious Newport Tower. Conspiracies abound. Some think it was built by the Vikings or even early Chinese explorers. In reality, it’s just the remains of a windmill built in the mid-17th century.
Newport’s most famous colonial church is Trinity Church, which overlooks the harbor. The church was finished in 1726 and still retains much of its original appearance 18th century appearance.
Trinity Church has had some notable parishioners over the years, especially during the Gilded Age. The list includes some Astors, Vanderbilts and even Commodore Matthew C. Perry who opened up Japan for trade and defeated the British navy in Lake Eerie during the War of 1812 and his brother, Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British navy in Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Right outside of the church is the church cemetery. Many of the tombs date from the colonial era like this one for Abigail Cahoone who died in 1739 as a child.
The Touro Synagogue was founded by those early Jewish settlers. The current structure dates from 1763. It is actually the oldest synagogue building standing today in the United States and the only one still surviving from the colonial era.
On the inside, Touro Synagogue is very Colonial British in appearance, rather than Portuguese. That was probably because it was designed by a British architect Peter Harrison. Men would have sat on the lower level, with the ladies on the top.
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum was founded in 1747, making second oldest library in the country and the oldest using its original building. It was also the first classical public building built in the colonies. The original building, however, has been added onto a bunch of times since then but you can still find some of the original books that were purchased in London.
And finally, I leave you with a street of colonial buildings.
Newport, Rhode Island, is famous for its huge mansions, which are fantastic, by the way. However, that isn’t the only amazing thing to find in this small city. Colonial houses and buildings abound and there is also an awesome fort, Fort Adams, which was built in 1799. Newport is just really fun to explore. I only had two days and it was not nearly enough.
Check out all my other posts in my Wandering series!
I’m in Newprt right now and came across your post about all the wonderful Colonial buildings. I came for the mansions and was so surprised by all this amazing history. In any other American city, this would be the highlight, but here, it’s just an afterthought!