Thursday, July 9th, 2026
Colonial Cemeteries Day
ALL DAY
Explore local history and experience these meaningful landscapes of remembrance through engaging stories & interpretative materials.
⭐ Featured Event: Clifton Burying Ground Tour – 9:00 AM ⭐
Newport Historical Society – Bert Lippincott
Free Public Event | Advance Registration Recommended | RSVP
Immerse yourself in Newport’s history and explore the Clifton Burying Ground, one of Newport’s earliest and most storied burial sites. Discover the legacies of prominent colonial figures, including members of the Clarke and Wanton families, alongside generations of Quakers who shaped the city’s beginnings. As you wander this compact yet remarkable landscape, take in the richly carved gravestones and uncover the evolving history of a site that has been carefully preserved from centuries of change.
⭐ Featured Event: Arnold Burying Ground Tour – 10:00 AM ⭐
Preservation Society of Newport County – Lewis Keen
Free Public Event | Advance Registration Required | RSVP
Nestled in the heart of Newport is a family burial ground with a remarkable story. The final resting place for members of Governor Benedict Arnold’s family was obliterated and later restored thanks to the efforts of Alice Brayton of Green Animals. The tour will share the story of the site and some of the family members, and take a close look at remarkable Colonial gravestones. Many Americans know the name Benedict Arnold. The tour will explain his relationship to this site.
We will meet in front of 75 Pelham Street. Parking is available in the neighborhood, and the tour will be about an hour long.
⭐ Featured Event: Common Burying Ground Tour – 2:00 PM ⭐
Newport Historical Society – Mike Margonis
Free Public Event | Advance Registration Recommended | with code CEMETERY*
*code will become active at 12:00am on July 9th*
Self-Guided Cemetery Tours
Visit https://rihistoriccemeteries.org/ for a more complete list of historic RI cemeteries by town
Fort Adams Cemetery | 90 Fort Adams Drive
God’s Little Acre | Farewell Street
Island Cemetery | Warner Street
Old City (North) Cemetery | Braman Cemetery | Farewell Street
Coddington/Governors’ Burying Ground | Farewell Street
Colonial Jewish Burying Ground | Kay Street & Touro Street
John Clarke Burying Ground | Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd & Callender Ave
Trinity Churchyard | Spring Street
Coggeshall Burying Ground | Coggeshall Ave & Victoria Ave
Friends Burial Ground | Tilden Street & Feke Street
Judge Anthony Wilbur Lot | Wilbur Ave
Thank you to the members of the Newport 250 Committee for making this possible.
For more information about Independence Week events visit DiscoverNewport.org/250th