Visit South County, home of seaside villages and historic mills
Activities of the Narragansett Planters
238 Robinson Street, Wakefield Post Office
South Kingston,
Phone: 401-783-2691
A bit of 20th century history, this mural was painted in 1939 by Ernest Hamlin Baker, a cover artist for Time magazine. Open Mon-Fri 6 am-6 pm, Sat 6:30 am-3 pm.
Babcock-Smith House
124 Granite Street
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-4424
Built in 1734, this was the home of Dr. Joshua Babcock, who was the first physician to practice in Westerly, and who also served as postmaster. Babcock is known as a friend of Benjamin Franklin. A later resident of the house, Orlando Smith, discovered granite on the property, which became a major industry for the community in the 19th century. Open seasonally and by appointment. Call for hours.
Canonchet Farm
Strathmore Street and Anne Hoxsie Lane
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-1044
Site of the South County Museum. A 19th-century working farm set on 174-acre park, it includes historic buildings, exhibits, and a cemetery with graves more than 200 years old. Also has nature trails, and picnic area. Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Canonchet Memorial
Gazebo Park, Beach Street and Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI
A statue of Narragansett Chief Canonchet, carved in 1977 by Robert Carsten out of limestone, weighs three tons.
Casey Farm
2325 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A)
Saunderstown, RI
Phone: 401-295-1030
Open: June 1-October 15, Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Explore this working farm with a tour that includes the farmyard and the family cemetery, where six generations of Caseys are buried. Visitors are welcome to ramble along trails and view the organic vegetable and flower gardens. The farm also keeps a flock of heirloom Dominique chickens as well as heritage-breed turkeys. Hiking trails surround the property. The Coastal Grower’s Farmers’ Market is held on Saturdays, May through October, 9 a.m. -noon.
Admission: $4; seniors, $3; students and children, $2.
Charlestown Historical Society
Route 1A
Charlestown, RI
Phone: 401-364-7507
A restored and furnished 19th century one-room schoolhouse. Set on the grounds of the Cross Mills Public Library. Open July-August, Wed 2-4 pm, Sat. 10 am-noon. Groups by appointment.
Fayerweather Homestead
Mooresfield Road, Route 138
South Kingstown, RI
Phone: 401-789-9072
Home of village blacksmith George Fayerweather, a black-American who settled the area circa 1820. Fayerweather's family continued as the area blacksmiths for several generations. The house has been restored by the Kingston Improvement Association, and is now occupied by the Fayerweather Craft Guild. Craft gifts, classes, and demonstrations are available in season. Open May-December, call for hours. Groups by appointment.
Flying Horse Carousel
Bay Street
Watch Hill, RI
Phone: 401-596-7761
The Flying Horse Carousel is the oldest in the country, and records show it was used earlier than 1879. It was brought to Watch Hill in 1883. Each carousel horse is hand-carved from a single piece of wood, and features authentic tails, manes, leather saddles, and agate eyes. They are suspended from a frame in the center, swinging out above the base of the carousel when it is in motion. Only children are permitted to ride the carousel. Open June 15-Labor Day, 1 pm-9 pm.
57 Peirce Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: 401-884-1776
James Mitchell Varnum was one of George Washington’s generals. His mansion was built in 1773, and visitors can enjoy the Colonial garden, the paneled walls, and period furnishings.
Hours: June-August, Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Donation suggested.
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace
815 Gilbert Stuart Road
North Kingstown, RI
Phone: 401-294-3001
The man who painted George Washington was born in this home in 1755. The site is now home to an operating 18th century snuff mill, the first one built in America, and a water wheel. Exhibits include Colonial furniture and tools, and information about Gilbert Stuart. Open May to October, Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Tours are given on the hour beginning at 11 a.m. with the last tour at 3 p.m. Call for exact opening and closing dates.
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
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, $7; children age 6-12, $4.
Great Swamp Battle Site
Great Neck Road, off Route 138
South Kingstown, RI
Phone: 401-789-0281
An obelisk marks the site of the Great Swamp Fight, which was a culminating event in King Philip's War. On December 19, 1675, colonials and Indian allies gravely defeated the Narragansett Indians and almost annihilated the tribe. Open Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-4 pm.
Hannah Robinson's Rock
Route 138 and U.S. Route 1
South Kingstown, RI
Site of Observation Tower, it also is known as Sad Rock, the Crying Rock, and Meditation Rock. Directly beneath the tower, history says is where Hannah Robinson went to cry, though the reason is unknown. Both the Rock and the Tower offer views of the Rhode Island coast.
Kingston Village
Along Route 138
South Kingstown, RI
Phone: 401-783-1328
Kingston Village was founded in 1723, and many historic buildings remain, adding to the atmosphere of Colonial life in Rhode Island. Located right at the entrance to the University of Rhode Island.
Narragansett Indian Monument
Kingstown Road and Strathmore Street
Narragansett, RI
Artist and sculpture Peter Toth carved this monument from a single Douglas fir tree. At 23 feet high, this is one of 41 sculptures by Toth throughout the U.S. honoring the Native American people
Ninigret Statue
Bay Street
Watch Hill, RI
Phone: 401-348-5089
This statue has an unusual history. It was sculpted in 1914 in Paris by artist Enid Yandell, who modeled the statue after an Indian touring with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Ninigret led the Rhode Island Niantic tribe and is recorded as far back as 1637.
Old Narragansett Church
Church Lane off Main Street
Wickford, RI
Phone: 401-294-4357
One of the four original colonial parishes in Rhode Island, this church was built in 1707. Includes antique communion silver, slave gallery, and the oldest church organ in North America, built in 1680. Gilbert Stuart, the portrait artist, was baptized there in 1755. Open July-August, Sun only, 11 am-4 pm.
Pettaquamscutt Historical Society Old Washington Country Jail
2636 Kingstown Road
Kingston, RI
Phone: 401-783-1328
Headquarters of the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, this county jail was originally constructed in 1792. The cell block was rebuilt in 1858. Rooms are set up with exhibits depicting the history and life of South County since the 17th century. The society also maintains a geneological and historical library. Open Tues, Thurs, Sat, 1 pm-4 pm. Closed November-April and holidays. Groups by appointment.
Point Judith Lighthouse
1460 Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-0444
Built in 1816, this eight-sided building replaced the original lighthouse, which was lost in a gale in 1815. During the American Revolution, the light was the site of a Coast Guard station. The grounds are open to visitors and plenty of information is available on the history of the site. Access to the lighthouse and the Coast Guard Station are restricted, but tours for groups can be arranged by appointment. Open Mon-Sun, 9 am-4 pm.
Royal Indian Burial Ground
Narrow Lane, off U.S. Route 1
Charlestown, RI
Visit the graves and monuments for the chiefs (sachems) of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.
Smith's Castle
55 Richard Smith Drive
Wickford, RI
Phone: 401-294-3521
This National Landmark was built in 1678, and is very near to the trading center built by Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, in 1636. Numerous archeological discovers have been made here, and in 1995 the original house underwent a major restoration. Open May-June and September-October, Friday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; July-August, Thursday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Admission: Adults, $6; children age 6-112, $2. Information: 401-294-3521
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.
South County Museum is located on a 174-acre park that once was the 68-room summer home of Civil War-era Governor William Sprague. It includes a working 19th-century farm, and its seven exhibition buildings house a working print shop and working blacksmith shop, plus exhibits on farming, home-making, fishing and sailing and other aspects of 19th- and early 20th-century life in southern Rhode Island. Admission: Adults, $5; seniors over age 60, $4; children age 6 to 12, $2.
St. Peter's-by-the-Sea Church
Central Street and Caswell Street
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-783-4623
Built in 1869, this church features many Tiffany stained glass windows, including one in memorial of Varina Winnie Davis, the daughter of Confederacy President Jefferson Davis, who often vacationed in Narragansett. Open Mon-Fri 9 am-2 pm, by appointment Sat 10 am-noon, and for Sun services 8 am and 9:30 am.
Sunset Farm
505 Point Judith Road, Rout 108
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-789-1044
Sunset Farm is one of the oldest working farms in South County. The homestead on property is the Kinney Bungalow, built in 1899 by Francis Kinney, who made his money in tobacco. It was later used as a private country club.
The Towers
Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI
Phone: 401-783-7121
The Towers are all that remains of the historic Narragansett Pier Casino, built in 1883 and designed by world famous architect Stanford White, who also built the original Madison Square Garden in New York City. Restoration of the property currently is underway, and there are exhibits to view there, in adition to the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center. Open daily 9 am-4 pm. Summer tours are available.
Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum
390A Summit Road in Arcadia Village
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone: 401-539-7213
Open year-round by appointment only.
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.
Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum
14 Lighthouse Road
Watch Hill, RI
Phone: 401-789-4422
Exhibits feature information about life in the area in the 18th and 19th century, particularly relating to marine issues. Facing Fisher's Island Sound, the lighthouse was built in 1858. Open July-August, Tues and Thurs, 1 pm-3 pm.
Watson House
Farm House Road, on the Campus of the University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
Phone: 401-792-8296
This Colonial farm house features a wide variety of artifacts on display, including weaving looms, furniture, spinning wheels, and kitchen tools and utensils. Tours by appointment only.
Wickford Village
Route 1A
Wickford, RI
Phone: 877-295-7200
Historic seaside village founded in 1641, visitors will find great waterviews, 17th and 18th century buildings that are well preserved, and many fine shops and restaurants.
71 High Street, Downtown Westerly
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-596-2877 ext. 334
Toll-Free: 866-460-2877 ext. 334
