Rhode Island - Museums and Galleries in Newport

Fire Department Memorial Building
50 Narragansett Avenue
Jamestown, RI  02835
Phone: 401-423-0062

Open: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; weekends by appointment

See Map

Antique firefighting equipment is on display here, including a horse-drawn steam engine from 1894 and photographs of fire fighters at work and at play. In the museum is an authentic hand tub dating from the mid-19th century.

Museum of Newport History
127 Thames Street
Newport, RI  02840
Phone: 401-846-0813

Open: Mid-June-September 4, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; April 20-June 11 and September 7-December 23, Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; closed Christmas to mid-April.

See Map

The museum offers a overview of Newport history to life with exhibits of decorative arts, artifacts of everyday life, graphics, historic photographs, audio-visual programs, fine ship models, brilliant paintings, exquisite Colonial silver, the printing press used by James Franklin, a ball gown worn by a member of the Summer Colony, the figurehead from the yacht Aloha, and much more. Cost: Admission is by donation.

Museum of the Artillery Company of Newport
23 Clarke Street
Newport, RI  02840
Phone: 401-846-8488

Open: May–October, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and by appointment the rest of the year.

See Map

In the Newport Armory, built in 1836, the museum contains a large collection of military artifacts, both from the U.S. and foreign sources representing more than 100 countries past and present. The museum is run by the Rhode Island Militia, which was chartered in 1741 and is the country's oldest military organization. Open June-September, Wed-Sat, 10 am-4 pm; Sun noon-4 pm.

Museum of Yachting
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI  02840
Phone: 401-847-1018

Open: Mid-May-October 31, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Other months by appointment.

See Map

The Museum of Yachting brings to the public eye the beauty and excitement which has led sailors to the water for centuries. It is a lively organization which reflects the international flavor of yachting in Newport, dedicated to the preservation of the traditional skills, documents, vessels, and artifacts which record and describe the history and development of yachting around the world. Cost: Adults, $5; seniors and children, $4.

National Museum of American Illustration
Vernon Court at 492 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI  02840
Phone: 401-851-8949
Fax: 401-851-8974

Open: The Museum is open year-round by advance reservations for museum tours.

See Map

The National Museum of American Illustration exhibiting original artworks from the Golden Age of American Illustration, including Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and 75 others in its extensive collection. The Museum venue, Vernon Court, is a Beaux-Arts adaptation of an 18th century French chateau, by noted architects Carrere and Hastings. Cost: tour is $25 per person.

Naval War College Museum
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI
Phone: 401-841-4052

Open: Year-round, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; June-September, Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed holidays

The museum is in Founders Hall (1820), A National Historic Landmark, and features exhibits on the history of naval warfare and the history of the Navy in the region. Founders Hall is where the college started in 1884 and where historian Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote the epochal The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, the book that helped to change the course of history at the start of the 20th century. Open year-round, Mon-Fri, 10 am-4 pm; June-September, Sat-Sun, noon-4 pm; closed holidays.

Old School House
East Main Road and Union Street
Portsmouth, RI
Phone: 401-683-9178

Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; also by appointment.

The oldest schoolhouse in the United States, built in 1716. Antique textbooks, school bells, and school furniture on display.

Portsmouth Historical Society
870 East Main Road
Portsmouth, RI  02871
Phone: 401-683-9178

Open: Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

See Map

The museum is in a former Christian Sabbath Society meeting house, built in 1865. Collections of Colonial farm and household tools can be found inside. On the museum grounds is a monument on the site of the initial skirmish of the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sat-Sun 1-4 pm, and by appointment.

Sydney L. Wright Museum
26 North Road
Jamestown, RI  02835
Phone: 401-423-7280

Open: Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Thursday, noon-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; summer Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; winter Sundays, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

See Map

Housed in the Jamestown Philomena Library, this museum features both Native and Colonial artifact collections from both the pre-historic and settlement periods. Most of these were found at local sites. Open Mon-Fri, Sat June 15-September 15. Call for specific hours.

Whitehall Museum House
311 Berkeley Avenue
Middletown, RI  02842
Phone: 401-846-3116

Open: July-August, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Monday

See Map

Built in 1729 by Dean George Berkeley, an Anglican Bishop. The home is authentically furnished and maintained by the National Society of the Colonial Dames in Rhode Island, who offer tours during operating hours. Open daily July and August, 10 am-5 pm, or by appointment the rest of the year.

Wilbor House Museum
548 West Main Road (Route 77)
Little Compton, RI  02837
Phone: 401-635-4035

Open: Mid-June to Labor Day, Thursday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; weekends through Columbus Day, 1-5 p.m.; and by appointment throughout the year. Last tour is at 4 p.m.

See Map

Built in the 17th century and expanded and remodeled over the next 200 years, the property was restored in 1956 by the Little Compton Historical Society. The house contains period furniture and artifacts. The barn features historic farm items, vehicles, and tools. There is a Colonial herb garden. Guided tours available. Cost: Adults, $5; Children, $1.