Newport Historic District

Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

The Newport Historic District➤

The Newport Historic District covers 250 acres in the center of Newport, Rhode Island. It received National Historic Landmark designation in 1968 due to its unique and large collection of intact colonial buildings. Many sites, five of them National Historic Landmarks in their own right, are contributing properties to the Newport Historic District.

Site of First Catholic Church in Newport

Newport, founded in 1639, served as the Colonial Capital. Known for its religious freedom, Newport welcomed persecuted Quakers from Massachusetts and Sephardic Jews from Portugal. The history of this diverse settlement is well-preserved in the district.

A Stroll through History➤

We explored some of the Newport Historic District while waiting for our tour of the Touro Synagogue to begin. We started at the Wanton–Lyman–Hazard House, the oldest standing house in Newport. Built in 1697, the people for whom it is named owned the home for over a century.

Next, we followed Touro Synagogue’s guide to the Washington Square area. This loop took us past the Old Colony building, the park which was once the town common, a replica of an 1800s horse trough and some other historic buildings.

Newport Area Posts➤

Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Designation: National Historic Landmark
Date designated/established: November 24, 1968
Date of my visit: October 3, 2021