“Over the past year, the Newport Historical Society has held a series of Civic Conversations on what it means to be an American today. We could have a hell of a talk this week, after armed insurrectionists stormed and breached the US Capitol during a normally routine certification of a presidential election. Some of those individuals invoked their sense of the spirit of 1776, and others seemed to think they were refighting the Civil War.”

To read the full Director’s Note from Executive Director Ruth S. Taylor, click the link below.

As the Newport Historical Society begins to reopen following the guidelines set by RI state agencies, we remain committed to the mission of education, information dissemination, and use of the collections for research and enjoyment. Going forward, we will continue to offer new content on Newport’s rich history both through our traditional avenues and the new digital offerings we have developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the links below to learn more about how to access our collections and resources remotely, or to explore our digital tools for teachers and educators.

‘History at Home’ Page

‘Know Your History’ Page

Remote Research & Digital Collections

Resources for Teachers and Education Content Providers

This tour was made possible through the efforts of Peter Hanney of Hanney Property Solutions, who contributed Matterport digitization of the Museum of Newport History,
and Jessika Davis, who arranged digital exhibit text. 

The Museum of Newport History is free to the public year-round, which is made possible through the generous donations of our patrons and visitors. While the Museum is currently closed, we are striving to make Newport’s endlessly interesting history accessible from the comfort of your home. Please enjoy a virtual tour of the Museum: donations may be made online by clicking the link below.