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Visit South County, home of seaside villages and historic mills

Rhode Island > South County > Indoor Activities > Historic Homes and Sites
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and grist mill in RI
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

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

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.
Hours: May- September; limited hours in October; call ahead for days and times. 
Admission: Adults, $10; children age 6-12, $6
Information: www.gilbertstuartmuseum.com
casey Farm in RI
Casey Farm

2325 Boston Neck Road (Route 1A) Saunderstown, RI, 02874 Phone: 401-295-1030

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.
Hours: June 1-October 15, Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 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.
Information: http://bit.ly/XAkVZO
Old Narragansett Church - Wickford, RI
Old Narragansett Church

Church Lane off Main Street Wickford, RI, 02852 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.
General James Mitchell Varnum House - East Greenwich, RI
General James Mitchell Varnum House

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: Open weekends from June-August, 1-4pm. Donations are encouraged.
Kid Fun, Unique Cuisine, Ocean View - Stay in Warwick, See Rhode Island!
Watch Hill Lighthouse Museum

14 Lighthouse Road Watch Hill, RI, 02891 Phone: 401-348-5089

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.
Hours: Open Tues-Thurs from July-August, 1-3pm.
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.
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.
Hours: Open June 15-Labor Day, 1-9 p.m.
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.
Wickford Village

Route 1A Wickford, RI Phone: 877-295-7200

Historic seaside village founded in 1641, visitors will find great water views, 17th- and 18th-century buildings that are well preserved, and many fine shops and restaurants.
Babcock-Smith House

124 Granite Street Westerly, RI Phone: 401-596-5704

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.
Hours: May 30 through October 31, Saturday, 2-5 p.m.; July and August, Friday and Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. Group tours by arrangement.
Admission: Adults, $5; children, $1.
Information: www.babcock-smithhouse.com
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.
Hours: Open Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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.
Hours: 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: www.smithscastle.org
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