Newport, Rhode Island is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in the United States of America. Boasting a nearly unmatched collection of 18th and 19th century houses and buildings, the town is perfect for walking about and admiring the unique and historic architecture. So grab a coffee, put on your best walking shoes, and come along!
A Historic Walking Tour of Newport – Route 2
Similar to the Historic Walking Tour of Newport – Route 1, this walking tour will take you by a beautiful collection of historic homes, one-of-a-kind buildings, and landmarks that are unique to Newport, Rhode Island (this walking tour should take approximately 30 minutes). This tour begins at the Redwood Library & Athenaeum and includes 11 historic buildings and sites before ending at the site of the U.S. Naval Academy during the American Civil War.
The following tour map gives a recommended route that will take you by 11 historic buildings and sites:
1 – Redwood Library & Athenaeum
2 – Touro Park & the Newport Tower
3 – John Tillinghast House
4 – Miller House
5 – Billy Bottomore Confectioner
6 – Captain Thomas Brewer House
7 – John Banister House (General Richard Prescott Headquarters)
8 – United Congregational Church
9 – Arnold Burying Ground
10 – Swedish Evangelist Lutheran Zion Church
11 – Site of the U.S. Naval Academy during the American Civil War
1 – Redwood Library & Athenaeum
The historic walking tour begins at the oldest lending library in the United States of America: the Redwood Library & Athenaeum (50 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840). The library has its origins in 1747, when Newport local Abraham Redwood and 45 colonists felt that the citizens of Newport needed a library to expand their knowledge and understanding; therefore, they created the Company of the Redwood Library. The building, which would be the first neo-classical public building in the colonies, was designed by Peter Harrison and opened in March 1750. Abraham Redwood donated £500 (English pounds) sterling to purchase a collection of 751 books from London- thus began the first lending library in North America. These books ranged in topic from mathematics, law, history, geography and the classics.
2 – Touro Park & the Newport Tower
Touro Park was established in 1865 to honor Newport businessman and philanthropist, Judah Touro. There are many monuments on the grounds, to include one of famed Newport native and naval officer Matthew Perry. Perhaps the most interesting structure in Newport is also on the grounds: the Newport Tower. The exact origins of the Newport Tower are unknown; however, there are numerous theories and beliefs about who built the tower and why (many are far-fetched, historically unlikely, or even impossible). Most historians today agree that the Newport Tower was built sometime in the 17th century (1600s). Following a 1948 excavation at the site (which uncovered many 17th century artifacts) and a 1993 carbon dating of the tower’s mortar, it is likely the tower was built in the mid to late 1600s.
A very possible local theory states that the Newport Tower was first built as a stone windmill. The likely builder of the windmill was Benedict Arnold, the first colonial Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and Great Grandfather of American Revolution General and infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold. The tower sits on land that was owned by Governor Arnold and in his 1677 will, he mentions “my stone built Wind Mill.” While this theory makes the most sense and aligns with the scientific evidence discovered, it has yet to be completely proven. Thus, many theories exist to this day.
3 – John Tillinghast House (Private Residence)
The timber-framed, 2-1/2 story house was built in 1760 by prosperous Newport merchant, John Tillinghast. His family lived in the house comfortably until the American Revolution when the British Army occupied the town. When the French Army occupied Newport in July 1780, the Tillinghast House was at their disposal and two officers of the French engineering corps were billeted there (it is believed that the Marquis de Chastellux lived there for a time). In 1783-1785, famed American General Nathanael Greene was a tenant at the house and received a few famous guests at the house: the Marquis de Lafayette, Baron von Steuben, and Thaddeus Koszciusko. The house was eventually used as apartments and remains a private residence to this day.
4 – Warren House (Private Residence)
The Warren House was built by Newport sea Captain Robert Lawton in 1809 and serves as a great example of federal architectural style. Sadly, Captain Lawton died at sea in 1818 off the coast of Africa and his wife Penelope was left the house. Additions were added in 1850 and it had numerous owners over the years: from 1886-1932, the Paul family owned the house followed by the Warren family (hence its current name). Mrs. Warren was one of the founding members of the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1945 (the house was even used for the society’s offices for a time). Today, the beautifully-restored Warren House is a private residence.
5 – Billy Bottomore Confectioner (Private Residence)
The Billy Bottomore Confectioner House was built circa 1750 and is on the national register of historic places. William Bottomore was an Italian refugee (originally from Bologna) who came to the United States (Salem, MA originally) alongside fellow Italian Michaele Felice Corné, a marine/ship painter, around 1799. Bottomore was originally a confectioner, but soon began to assist Corné in his marine paintings and artwork. In 1822, the two men moved to Newport and would live together for many years. It was during this time that Bottomore again began work as a confectioner and he ran a shop in the front room of their house.
Source: https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/636
6 – Captain Thomas Brewer House (Private Residence)
The bright orange house on the corner of Spring and Pelham Streets was built circa 1744 and was once owned by Newport sea Captain Thomas Brewer. In 1745, Godfrey Malbone built two privateer ships and gave Captain Brewer command of one of them. Brewer and his ship, in company with the other privateer (under command of a Captain Cranston), were set to sail to the Spanish-Main (colonial lands owned by the Spanish Empire along the mainland of the Americas). On December 24, 1745, the two ships left Newport and were struck by a violent snow storm. Sadly, both ships (and the 400 sailors who manned the ships) disappeared at sea and Captain Thomas Brewer was never heard from again.
Source: https://archive.org/stream/PrivateersmenofNewport/Privateers menofNewport_djvu.txt
7 – John Banister House (General Richard Prescott Headquarters)
This beautiful blue house, which stands at the corner of Spring and Pelham Streets, was built circa 1751 for local merchant John Banister. After Mr. Banister died in 1767, his house was inherited by his son, John. When the American Revolution began, John and his brother, Thomas, found themselves on opposites sides of the war. While John supported the Whig (patriot) cause, Thomas remained loyal to his king. Unfortunately, the British Army occupied Newport in 1776, which forced John Jr. to leave town and abandon his home. During the British Army’s occupation of Newport from December 1776 – October 1779, it served as the headquarters for British General Richard Prescott. Interestingly, Patriot forces under command of Colonel William Barton captured General Prescott on a warm July night in 1777, whilst he was at his headquarters; however, he was not here at the Banister House, but at his second headquarters at the Nichols-Overing House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
After the war, John Jr. returned to Newport and reclaimed his house. On the other hand, his loyalist brother never returned to Newport and had all of his property confiscated (a common practice following the war).
8 – United Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church of Newport was first gathered in 1695 by Reverend Nathaniel Clap. During the American Revolution, the congregation’s meeting houses were used as barracks and hospitals by both the occupying British and the French. Following the war, the congregation rebounded and served the community well into the 19th-century. The current United Congregational Church (73 Pelham St, Newport, RI 02840) was built under the direction of architect Joseph C. Wells in 1859. In 1879, famed artist John LaFarge was hired to redecorate the church’s interior and over the course of a few months, his work resulted in 20 beautiful stained-glass windows and a series of murals. His unique artwork helped the church earn a spot on the list of National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Source: http://lafargerestorationfund.org/history/
8 – Arnold Burying Ground
The Arnold Burying Ground was established in 1677 by Benedict Arnold, the first Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (he was the Great Grandfather of the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold). Burials here include Governor Benedict Arnold, his wife, and more than 50 of their relatives (the last burial took place in 1834). Interestingly, the property was confiscated following the Revolutionary War because then owner, Thomas Bannister (a descendent of Arnold), was a notable Tory. This led to serious neglect of the cemetery and eventual dismantling of the gravestones in 1857 by Captain Augustus Littlefield. It wasn’t until 1946 when Newporters Alice Brayton and John Howard Benson renovated and restored the site and in 1953, it was given to the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Source: https://www.newportmansions.org/learn/landscape/arnold-burying-ground
9 – Swedish Evangelist Lutheran Zion Church (Private Residence)
The Swedish Evangelist Luther Zion Church (6 Corné Street, Newport, RI, 02840) was designed by architect James W. Smith in the Gothic Revival style and completed in 1896. It was built for Scandinavians who came to Newport, primarily as servants during the summer months. Interestingly, Swedish was regularly used during the services into the 1920s. In 1960, the congregation moved to their new church (Saint Peters) and the old church became a private residence.
10 – Site of the United States Naval Academy during the American Civil War
When the American Civil War broke out on April 12, 1861, there were genuine fears that borders states such as Maryland might experience disruptive civil unrest or even become a target for the Confederacy. In order to protect and continue operation of the U.S. Naval Academy, the decision was made to move it from Annapolis, MD to Newport, RI. On April 27, the War Department ordered the Academy moved to Fort Adams in Newport; however, after only a few months at Fort Adams, it was clear that the living conditions were subpar. On August 30, the Atlantic House Hotel (on the site of the current Elks Lodge) was leased to be used as the temporary U.S. Naval Academy and it would remain there through the end of the war. The original hotel building was demolished in 1877 and the current Parkgate building on the site was purchased by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in 1920. A sign in the front lawn of the lodge commemorates the site as the location of the United States Naval Academy from 1861-1865.
Source: https://zilianblog.com/2013/04/16/newport-home-to-naval-academy-during-civil-war/