Rhode Island - Museums and Galleries in South County

Casey Farm
2325 Boston Neck Road
Saunderstown, RI  02874
Phone: 401-295-1030

Open: June-mid-October, Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Once the site of Revolutionary War activities, this farm was built and continuously occupied by the Casey family for 200 years. Farmland offers view of Narrangansett Bay and Conanicut Island. Restored and operating farm with animals, organic gardens; 1750 farmhouse with family paintings and furnishings. Admission: $4.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum
815 Gilbert Stuart Road
Saunderstown, RI  02874
Phone: 401-294-3001

Open: May – October, Thursday – Monday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with tours on the hour

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A showplace for reproductions of the works of Gilbert Stuart, one of America’s foremost portrait painters, this home also is an authentically restored and furnished workingman’s home and the site of the first snuff mill in America. The lovely wooded homestead on the banks of the Mattatuxet Brook also features a partially restored grist mill and a fascinating fish ladder. The grist mill houses the original fine-grained granite stones used to grind corn for the famous Rhode Island johnny cakes. Cost: Adults, $6; children age 6-12, $3.

Helme House Gallery
2587 Kingstown Road
South Kingstown, RI  02881
Phone: 401-783-2195

Open: Wednesday – Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.; closed holidays

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Home of the South County Art Association, set in a historic house, and featuring art classes and regular art shows.

Museum of Primitive Art and Culture
1058 Kingstown Road
South Kingstown, RI  02879
Phone: 401-783-5711

Open: Labor Day to Memorial Day, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day, Wednesday, noon-2 p.m.; other times by appointment; closed holidays

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Founded in 1892, South County's oldest museum houses more than 15,000 archaeological and ethnological objects from around the world. Changing exhibits in the period Southwest Mission-style gallery explore two million years of world culture. Cost: $2 donation is requested.

Quonset Aviation Museum
488 Ecclecston Avenue
North Kingstown, RI  02852
Phone: 401-294-9540

Open: July-September, daily, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; October-June, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

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The museum is housed on three acres in an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point hangar built in 1945 as the point building for the Overhaul and Repair facility. The museum has a large collection of aircraft, aircraft parts, and other historical artifacts. The 28 aircraft currently on display or under restoration include civilian, military and prototype aircraft dating from 1944 (Hellcat under restoration) to 1983 (F-14 Tomcat). Cost: Adults, $7; children age 6-12, $3; military, free.

Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
21 IaFrate Way
Davisville, RI  02852
Phone: 401-885-2383

Open weekdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and by appointment

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On the grounds of the original US Navy Seabee base, this growing museum documents the growth of the Seabees and the Quonset hut. Exhibits focus on the development of military construction and equipment. Free admission.

South County Museum
Strathmore Street and Anne Hoxsie Lane
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-783-5400

Hours: May, June and September, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m; July and August, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.

On scenic and historic Canonchet Farm (see listing above), the South County Museum features a variety of exhibits and artifacts from Colonial and Victorian Rhode Island. These include a kitchen exhibit, maritime exhibit, antique toys and dolls, cobbler shop, and an antique carriage collection with tack and livery. In season there are regularly scheduled events, demonstrations and lecture series. Open May-October, Wed-Sun, 11 am-4 pm.

Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum
390A Summit Road in Arcadia Village
Exeter, RI  02822
Phone: 401-539-7213

Open year-round by appointment only.

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Artifacts and information about local tribes and Native American groups across the country. Artifacts include an authentic birch bark canoe, a collection of Southern New England ash splint baskets, and a large doll collection.