Newport Historical Society

06/02/2026

Learn about America's 250th Anniversary with the Newport Historical Society🎉

Today's Topic: Remembering the American Revolution in modern times.

In June of 2025, historian Michael D. Hattem joined a sold out crowd at the Newport Historical Society to discuss his latest book, "The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History." Hattem discussed Americans’ uniquely emotional connection to the memory of the Revolution and its central role in American life as a national “origin myth.” Also explored in this program was how Americans have constantly revised the meaning of the Revolution in ways that have always been shaped by the times.

Learn more about about modern Americans' connection to the Revolutionary War by watching the full program on the NHS' YouTube page at https://youtu.be/jSYglN8v8Lc?si=GIPmZthIWC-jftqW

06/01/2026

Upcoming Walking Tour: The French in 18th Century Newport👟

On Sunday, June 7th step into 18th century Newport and uncover the captivating story of the French alliance during the American Revolution. For a year, 12,000 French soldiers and sailors lived among Newport’s citizens, forging bonds and making critical contributions that were pivotal to America’s fight for independence. Discover how this historic collaboration began right here in Newport and played a vital role in securing American freedom.

For the full walking tour calendar and to purchase tickets visit NewportHistoryTours.org

**All walking tours now check in and depart from the Colony House in Washington Square, Newport**

👟French in 18th Century Newport
Sunday, June 7th | 2pm
The Colony House | Washington Square, Newport

Photo credit 📸 Madison van Wylen Photography

05/28/2026

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States by immersing yourself into Newport’s Revolutionary history at the French in Newport Living History Event!

Join the Newport Historical Society on Saturday, July 11th from 10am to 4pm for the annual French in Newport event. This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever in celebration of America’s 250th birthday!

This year features new demonstrations, locations, and displays to engage visitors with 18th century life in French occupied Newport. Explore the sites, scenes, and sounds of this era and learn about the important role Newport played in the Revolutionary war.

Stay up to date on the French in Newport event visit NewportHistory.org/events

🎉French in Newport Living History Event
📅Saturday, July 11th | 10am to 4pm
💻See website for locations

Photo credit 📸 Madison van Wylen Photography

05/27/2026

Learn about America's 250th Anniversary with the Newport Historical Society🎉

Today's Topic: Rhode Island's Revolutionary Fortifications

Although Rhode Island was a small colony compared to its neighbors, it held a number of fortifications during the Revolutionary War. From top to bottom, Rhode Island was home to 39 different Revolutionary era forts some of which are names that you may recognize; like Warwick Neck Fort (Warwick, RI), Beaver Tail Fort (Jamestown, RI), Prospect Hill Fort (Providence, RI), and Castle Hill Fort (Newport, RI).

In addition to these fortifications, Rhode Island also had 6 beacons and watch towers and another 14 Coast Guard Stations scattered throughout its coastlines from Barrington to Westerly. The map of Rhode Island shown with this post includes an index of the forts, beacons, and coast guard stations that existed during the Revolutionary War.

Map of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary period. FIC.2019.098. Collections of the Newport Historical Society.

05/26/2026

Join the Newport Historical Society in celebrating the opening of the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History🎉

On Saturday, June 20th, join us for the opening celebration of the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, a landmark addition to Newport’s cultural landscape. We invite you to an evening of cocktails and conversation, highlighted by a keynote address from internationally renowned author and advocate Heather McGhee.

Set against the historic backdrop of the Great Friends Meeting House, general admission is $175 per person, VIP tickets at $500 + include a tour of the Center at 17 Broadway at 5 PM. All proceeds will support the Newport Historical Society and the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History.

To purchase tickets for this celebration visit, https://newportblackhistory.org/events/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day the NHS is looking back to Memorial Day 1930 with this image of Civil War Veterans proudly displaying their uniforms and medals on the steps of a stone building. These men were part of the Grand Army of the Republic, one of the largest Union Army Veterans Groups after the Civil War.

Originally known as "Decoration Day," this day of remembrance for US soldiers who passed in the line of duty began shortly after the Civil War as a way for devastated communities to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags.

Glass plate negative of Civil War Veterans, May 1930. P4554. Collections of the Newport Historical Society.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Newport's hottest event of the summer is 2 months away🎉

Indulge in the world of arts, antiques, & exquisite objects at the 19th Annual Newport Show! With exhibitors from across the globe, the Newport Show offers a variety of showstopping pieces.

Join us for an evening of celebration at the Gala Preview Party on Friday, July 24th or enjoy a casual walk through the show floor on July 25th and 26th. Your ticket purchase does more than grant you access to the show: all proceeds for the Newport Show support the Newport Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County!

For more information and to purchase your tickets for this year's Newport Show, visit TheNewportShow.com

🎉Gala Preview Party
📅Friday, July 24th | 6pm to 9pm
🎉Weekend Show
📅July 25th & 26th | 10am to 5pm
📍St. George's School Ice Rink | 384 Purgatory Road, Middletown

Photo credit 📸 Jennifer Manville Photography

05/21/2026

Join us for our current exhibition: "OCCUPIED! Newport and the Fight for Independence"

During the Revolutionary War, Newport changed hands more than any other major seaport in North America. Valued for its deep-water harbor and strategic location, successive Continental, British, and French forces occupied the town during the conflict.

At the outbreak of the war, Revolutionary forces seized control of a divided community. In December 1776 British forces occupied Aquidneck Island, and for three years Newport was again part of the British Empire until their departure in October 1779. Arriving in July 1780, Newport hosted a French force sent across the Atlantic to support the fledgling United States. In June 1781, those troops departed Rhode Island for Yorktown, Virginia, where they played a pivotal role in the decisive battle that secured American independence.

The "OCCUPIED!" exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm at the Richard I. Burnham Resource Center. For more information about upcoming America250 programs and events visit, NewportHistory.org/Events

Photo credit 📸 Madison Van Wylen Photography