On this day in history in 1987, Rose Island Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Constructed in 1870, Narragansett Bay’s iconic Rose Island Lighthouse was built on top of a bastion of Fort Hamilton. The fort, including the lighthouse, is preserved, maintained and operated by The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation. […]
Newport History
Posted inThings To Do
20 Military Memorials, Monuments and Markers you should visit in Newport
These memorials, monuments, and markers throughout Newport, Rhode Island document the trials, tribulations, battles, historical events, and those Newporters lost while at a battle. We hope that this will inspire you to visit an important marker, monument, and memorial that more than likely has been an integral piece of our city and nation’s history. 1 – […]
Posted inNews
On This Day In Newport History: August 23, 2000 – Newport’s Richard Hatch Wins Survivor
Survivor: Borneo, the first season of CBS’s Survivor, hosted its finale on August 23, 2000. After 39 days of competition, Richard Hatch, a corporate trainer from Newport, was named the Sole Survivor and became Survivor‘s first millionaire. Nielsen reported that 125 million people watched at least some part of the finale. The show was filmed from […]
Posted inNews
This Day In Newport History: August 20, 1915 – Miramar mansion inaugurated
On this day in Newport history, Miramar Mansion was inaugurated on August 20th, 1915. Located at 646 Bellevue Avenue, it was intended as a summer home for the George D. Widener family of Philadelphia. George and his son, Harry, Widener lost their lives aboard the RMS Titanic. Eleanor Elkins Widener, George’s widow, who was rescued in a lifeboat […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport History: August 17, 1790 – George Washington Arrives In Newport
On the morning of August 17th, 1790 George Washington arrived in Newport. He was accompanied by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Governor George Clinton of New York, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Blair of Virginia, and U.S. Congressman William Loughton Smith of South Carolina. The following recount of this historic visit is from the Touro […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport History: August 11, 1866 – First roller skating rink opens to the public in U.S.
Roller skates in the United States around 1905 James Plimpton, inventor of the modern quad roller skate, and the New York Roller Skating Association (NYRSA) leased The Atlantic House Hotel in Newport and converted the dining room into a skating area on August 11th, 1866. This was the first roller skating rink open to the public in the […]
Posted inHistory, News
Today In Newport History: July 11, 1780 – Rochambeau Arrives In Newport
The Rochambeau Statue and Memorial in King Park was erected in 1934 to honor the assistance of Rochambeau and the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. | Both photos via Wikipedia On July 11, 1780 approximately 5,000 – 6,000 French soldiers commanded by Rochambeau arrived at King Park in Newport, Rhode Island. The code name given by the […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport History: August 19, 1991 – Hurricane Bob Makes Landfall Over Newport
Hurricane Bob developed in the central Bahamas on August 16, then steadily intensified and reached hurricane status on the evening of August 17. Bob continued to strengthen during the next 48 hours, as it began an acceleration north-northeastward, paralleling the East Coast. The eye of Hurricane Bob passed over Block Island, Rhode Island at approximately […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Discovering the history of Newport: A guide to the city’s street names and landmarks
Photo: Boston Public Library, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center The streets and landmarks of Newport are filled with stories from over 300 years of history. From the founders and heroes to the early settlers, the names of these streets and landmarks pay tribute to the rich history of this city. While this is just a small […]
Posted inHistory
First Attested Black Mutual Aid Society in Nation Was Formed in Newport on November 10, 1780
Photo: Peter Bours house (47 Division Street), Location of AUS as early as 1781 On November 10, 1780, the African Union Society (AUS) of Newport, Rhode Island was established. It was the first attested Black Mutual Aid Society. Former slaves, including Newport Gardner and Pompe (Zingo) Stevens, were two of the leaders in creating the AUS. In […]
Posted inNews
Five fun facts about each of Newport’s oldest and most historic churches
If you thought the City of Newport had a long history, you should spend some time reading up on each and every church, congregation, parish and religious meeting place. The triumphs and tribulations of each organization over hundreds of years is beautiful, remarkable and something that we should all spend more time learning about. There […]