A Brief History of Newport, Rhode Island

Newport was founded less than 20 years after the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, MA.  Rhode Island was the only colony with religious freedom – founded by Roger Williams, so many people including those from the Massachusetts Bay settlement came to Newport.  By the 1700’s there were about 10,000 people in Newport and it was rated one of the five richest cities in America along with Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Charleston, its sister city.

In 1775, during the War for independence, 10,000 British troops came to the town of Newport and stayed for about 2 years.  Because of the very cold winters, there was a strong need for firewood; the British troops used half the colonial homes in Newport for firewood. Eventually they left due to the cold winter.  Many of the colonial homes that were left standing are still here today and marked with a plaque with the year it was built.  Sometime afterwards, the French brought 8,000 troops to Newport and stayed only for 1 year.  Even today the taverns and headquarters that they frequented are still standing.

Newport then became a quiet fishing village for the next 100 years. The city was next discovered by the NY millionaires who were trying to get out of the city and Newport became an area for their elaborate summer homes. This time period became known as the “Gilded Age,” which continued until WWI.  During this time, palaces were built on Bellevue Avenue to house the rich for 2-6 weeks out of the summer.  Newport became the Queen of resorts.  Newport’s “Gilded Age” lasted a generation and a half due to the instatement of taxes in 1913, the Stock market crash in 1920, the invention of the automobile, air conditioning and eventually airplanes, which could fly the rich to tropical destinations.

Through the 1940’s, 1950's and 1960’s, the “palaces” were vacant and some were turned into schools. Most of the mansions became vacant again and after the Navy left Newport, the town was left very rundown.  Finally, in the 1960’s and 1970’s Newport had a huge recovery, including the building of the Pell Bridge (better known as the Newport Bridge) built in 1969.  Today Newport is a haven for tourists from all over the world.  Newport now has 25,000 residents with a flow of about 4.5 million visitors per year!!  Now a contemporary city with a rich heritage, Newport has something for almost everyone - from mansion tours, to tennis history, lovely beaches, sailing, the world-famous "Cliff Walk", interesting shops and restaurants, museums, and art and jazz festivals. 

Come join us in Newport and experience all that we have to offer!