Newport RI

Subscribe To This Site's Feed

From the Vault #6

Historic Structures and Locations

This page contains photos of the following Newport RI historic structures:

The Breakers mansion, Newport Colony House, Atlantic House, Naval War College, Newport Tower, Channing Memorial Church and the Rochambeau monument guarding Newport Harbor.

The Breakers

The Breakers mansion was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It is one of many National Historic Landmarks in Newport, and the most popular tourist attraction in the entire State of Rhode Island.

Colony House

This shot was taken in Washington Square (formerly called The Parade), facing the entrance to the Colony House. The Colony House, completed in 1741, was the home of the Colonial, and later, the State Legislature of Rhode Island.

The Declaration of Independence was read from these steps on July 20, 1776 by Major John Handy. Later, during their occupation of Newport, the British used this structure as a barracks for their troops.

If you've seen Steven Spielberg's film, Amistad, this area may look familiar to you. Many Newport RI attractions can be seen in the film. The Colony House was used for both exterior and interior shots during the court room scenes.

There is a painting of George Washington, done by Gilbert Stuart, on the second floor.

Atlantic House

This is the Atlantic House, which served as quarters of the Naval Academy while at Newport from 1863-1865. The Academy was moved to Newport for four years during the Civil War.

U.S. Naval War College

This shot was taken in 1913 at the U.S. Naval War College game room. All I can make out on the chalk board are the words: Red, Blue and a bunch of times.

Newport Harbor

This is an aerial shot of Newport Harbor. Fort Adams is on the left, Goat Island is in the center of the harbor and downtown Newport is on the right.

Newport Tower

This shot was taken in Touro Park. Newport Tower is in the foreground and Channing Memorial Church is in the background.

To this day, no one knows for sure who built this structure. It goes by many names: Viking Tower, Old Stone Mill and Mystery Tower.

Some think the Vikings or the Swedes built it. A case can also be made that the Chinese were here before the Europeans. I'm sure there's also a contingent who think aliens erected it! Hopefully some day we'll have an answer.

Rochambeau Monument

This is an early shot of the statue of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau. Lieutenant General Rochambeau commanded the French forces that assisted the Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Rochambeau landed at Newport on July 10, 1780. His statue guards Newport Harbor to this day, and can be seen up close from King Park on Wellington Avenue.

I hope you've enjoyed these old Newport RI photos from the vault. If you want to see more old photos like these click on the link below to see previous updates.

And don't forget... if you'd like to share some of your own Newport RI photos and/or stories, we'd love to see and hear them!

Continue to Vault #7 - Historic Fort Adams

Return to Newport RI - From the Vault #5

Return from From the Vault #6 to Newport Discovery Guide home page

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

SBI!

FREE Report

"Ultimate Newport
Day Trip"

Enter your information and click "Submit" for immediate access!

Site Sponsors

Site sponsor opportunities

Sweet Pea Print

Fitzpatrick Team

The Cafe

T3 Fitness

Favorite Sites/Products

Site Build It (SBI)

(How I built this site)

Ultimate Newport Vacation

Our 82 page e-book is the only guide you'll need for your visit to our beautiful city.

What we've done is lay out an entire 7 day vacation itinerary for you, so you don't have to spend your valuable time and energy researching:

Where to stay
Where to eat
Where to shop
Things to see and do
The best of the best of Newport

Click here for more info...

Our Newport Shop

Check out our designs in the widget below...

Make Custom Gifts at CafePress

Then click on the one you like or click here to visit our Newport Shop and browse more cool designs!