Original Colony House Clockworks on display at the Newport Historical Society, 24.12.1 AB, NHS Collection
Clockworks at the Colony House
The Colony House has stood at the top of Washington Square since its completion in 1739. Its construction was intended to bring more formal town planning to Newport and transform “the Parade” into an elegant public space. Over the next few decades, the building was an integral part of Newport’s public life. During the Revolutionary War occupation of Newport by British forces, the Colony House was used as a barracks. Following the liberation of the city by the French in 1778, it was used as a hospital.
Throughout the war, the building sustained significant damage from its heavy usage. Renovations were conducted in 1784-1785 to help repair this damage. During the renovation period, more than 200 subscribers pledged funds to purchase a clock for the Colony House. Prior, a window had occupied the place of the clockface we see today. The clock was installed during the renovations by its maker, Benjamin Dudley. The original clockworks are held in the Newport Historical Society’s collection today. They were replaced in 1853 by works made by J.R. Brown & Sharpe.