The Lure of Newport ~ A moment in time captured today

Fog Surrounding Tall Ships in Newport Harbor 2004
Photos Courtesy Linda S. Manning

For hundreds of years, Newport, Rhode Island has lured a varied population of inhabitants. With her glorious 22 miles of coastline surrounded by Rose, Gould and Coaster Harbor Islands, she is a magnificent picture of beautiful beaches, harbor side cafes and boutiques dressed up with gas lit lamps on cobblestone streets. With its centuries of appeal from the Colonial days of the 1600’s to a venue for the rich during The Gilded Age in the late 1800’s, Newport also boasts the birth of the most popular summer time activity, yacht racing in the 1900’s.

Today, Newport is as diverse as it was years ago offering a profusion of activities, historical sites, restaurants, mansions and museums, accommodations and abundant year round activities.

Newport is 11 square miles in total with 7.7 square miles of land and 3.3 square miles of inland waters and home to some of the oldest public buildings. The White Horse Tavern c1673, the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House c1675, Friends Meeting House c1699, Trinity Church c1725 and Touro Synagogue c1763, are still in existence today. As a tourist, you may view these spectacular historical sites on a daily basis.

Historically, first to arrive in 1636 was Anne Hutchinson who was driven out of Boston for her religious beliefs. She followed the path of Roger Williams. Her group purchased Aquidneck Island (Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth) from the Native Americans who had inhabited the area for over 5,000 years embellishing it with superb land management and fishing opportunities.

Anne Hutchinson settled in the northern portion of the island called Pocasett. In 1639 when the settlement split, William Coddington and Nicholas Easton, English settlers moved to the south of Newport to form the establishment of Newport. At that time, it bustled with diversity and religious tolerance.

Today winter time population of over 26,000, Newport has become a year round destination with tourists originating from all corners of the world. Contrasting to its naissance in the 1600’s her population at that time was comprised of English settlers who wanted to escape the apron of Mother England and her religious infringements.

The Quakers and Jews inhabited the island in the 1650’s. The formation of The Society of Friends was established in the early 1700’s where the Quakers dominated. The Society comprised of highly skilled craftsmen such as Townsend and Goddard.

During the 18th century, Newport was well known for the trading of exports of rum, candles, fish, furniture and silver. There were hundreds of wharves and shops and it was known as an epicenter for the development of modern capitalization. Newport was one of the leading five ports in Colonial America at that time.

Throughout the 1760’s there was a building boom and such architectural marvels as Trinity Church, Colony House and Redwood Library were erected.

The later part of the 1800’s found many pillars of society, the Vanderbilt, Berwinds and Oelrich’s in yet another building boom of the famous Newport Cottages along picturesque Bellevue Avenue. Becoming part of the list of 400 was an honor bejeweled with prestige.

The 1900’s brought about many changes. With the onset of the auto, airplane, railroad and cruise liners, Newport again became a bustling harbor and a site to visit.

Panoramic vistas from every angle can be captured by means of a Harbor Tour on one of the colossal schooners or clippers as well as chartering a private motor boat .Set sail with a few or many, depending on your style. In addition to boat tours exists sailing and power boat lessons where you get to be the Captain for the day. Such opportunities are not well publicized, conduct your search by talking to the locals.

Sailing Regatta off Gould Island

As a tourist today you can expect activities throughout the year. Log on to www.gonewport.com for a calendar of events. There are numerous places to stay such as lush hotels and quaint B&B’s. Log on to www.newportribedandbreakfast.com web site for a list of enchanting and charismatic B&B’s along with fine restaurants and things to see and do while visiting Newport.

Stepping back to yesteryear during the time of glitz and glamour is magnificently exemplified by the elegant and grand mansions owned by The Preservation Society. The most ornate and electrifying is The Breakers.

The Breakers, a 70 room estate was built by Richard Morris Hunt, a leading American architect for the affluent Cornelius Vanderbilt II, patriarch of Americas wealthiest family. With its magnificent ocean views, The Breakers offers open air terraces and rich interiors. For a complete list of the Preservations Societies collection of America’s grandest summer places, log on to www.NewportMansions.com web site.

There are so many points of interest; it seems as if almost everywhere you see the symbol of hospitality noted by its pineapple which in Colonial times was a signal of the seafaring captains returning home from West Indian ports and the Triangle Trade Route.

Explorations are vast with another site to visit on every corner. Take one of the walking tours of Historic Hill and The Point sections of Newport to view over 200 restored homes. There, history has its foundation. Stroll the 3.5 mile Cliff Walk along the coast beginning at Easton’s Beach and ending at Bailey’s Beach or visit Historic Fort Adams, the largest 19th-century U.S. coastal fortification. www.fortadams.org.

And lest we forget, the beaches and vineyards for all to enjoy along with the hundred’s of shops and restaurants. A few of the favorite restaurants of the locals are La Forge Casino, 22 Bowen’s, Canfield House, The Mooring, Puerini’s, The Red Parrott, Cheeky Monkey, The Inn at Castle Hill and Bistro styled cafes such as Percy’s. Visit hundreds more just a footstep away.

Some of the greatest arts and antiques can be found on the streets of Newport such as Franklin Street, Spring Street, Bellevue Avenue and Thames Street.

Numerous activities are scheduled every month of the year. Summertime’s best is the Music Festival, Jazz and Folk Festivals, Newport International Polo, Newport International Film Festival, Black Ships Festival, Irish Festival, Gallery Nights, Newport Arts Festival and many more.

As you can see, not only does Newport possess the finest of everything, there are activities for the young and old, summer, fall, winter and spring.

Visit Newport as your next tourist destination.