Historic Sites To Check Out In Rhode Island

Rhode Island is packed with historic sites that reflect its role in early American industry, defense, and culture. From coastal forts and colonial landmarks to grand Gilded Age mansions, the state offers a wide range of places worth visiting. This guide features historic sites I’ve personally visited in Rhode Island. I plan to update the list as I visit more!

The Breakers

The Breakers is the most well-known Newport Gilded Age mansion. It was built as a summer home for the Vanderbilt family in the 1890s. This grand estate features 70 rooms, extravagant architectural details, and beautifully manicured gardens, showcasing the immense wealth and lavish lifestyle of America’s elite during that era.
Discover more things to do in the area: 12 Things To Do In Newport, Rhode Island

Beavertail State Park

Beavertail State Park features Beavertail Lighthouse, which is one of the oldest lighthouses in the United States. It was established in 1749, but the current structure was built in 1856. It is now a museum and there are select days that they open the tower to climb. In addition to the lighthouse, there’s also an old bunker in the park.
Learn more about visiting: Beavertail State Park RI

Rose Island

Rose Island is accessible by boat from Newport and it features a haunted New England lighthouse that you can actually stay in overnight. In addition to the lighthouse, there’s also the Fort Hamilton Barracks, which has history dating back to the American Revolution. The island is full of history, and it also has some great views.
Learn more about visiting the island: Visiting Rose Island in Rhode Island

Watch Hill Lighthouse

Watch Hill Lighthouse was built in 1856, although the first lighthouse at this site was established in 1807. The lighthouse can be visited year-round from 8am to sunset throughout the year. If you’re looking to enjoy the museum, it’s open seasonally in July and August.
Discover more things to do in the area: Things To Do In Westerly, Rhode Island

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is located just south of Providence. It’s situated on an island in the Providence River. The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse offers tours of the lighthouse. They will take you to the island on a boat that departs from Cranston. The lighthouse was established in 1871.
Learn more about visiting: Visiting Pomham Rocks Lighthouse In Rhode Island

Southeast Light

Southeast Lighthouse is one of two lighthouses situated on Block Island. This lighthouse was built in 1875 and it stands 52 feet tall. This lighthouse is only open for tours during the summer, but you can visit the grounds year-round.
Discover more lighthouses in the state: 14 Lighthouses To Check Out In Rhode Island

The Elms

The Elms is a grand mansion in Newport that was built in 1901 in the Beaux-Arts style. The estate is known for its exquisite architecture, beautifully decorated interiors, and expansive gardens, which reflect the opulence of the Gilded Age. The tours showcase the lavish lifestyle of its original owners and the timeless beauty of the property.

Marble House

The Marble House is another stunning mansion in Newport that was built between 1888 and 1892 for industrialist William K. Vanderbilt and his wife, Alva. The mansion is known for its extravagant use of Italian marble. The Marble House is a National Historic Landmark and offers visitors a glimpse into the world of America’s elite, with its beautifully preserved architecture and historical significance.

Rosecliff

Rosecliff in was completed in 1902 as a summer cottage for silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs and was designed by architect Stanford White in the style of the Grand Trianon at Versailles. The mansion quickly became famous for its lavish entertaining, hosting grand balls and social events during the height of the Gilded Age. Several scenes of 1974’s “The Great Gatsby” were filmed at this mansion.

Chateau-sur-Mer

Chateau-sur-Mer is a historic mansion in Newport that’s known for its stunning blend of Gothic Revival and Italianate architectural styles. This house was completed in 1852 and it was the most luxurious residence in Newport until the appearance of the Vanderbilt houses in the 1890s. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum is the childhood home of American portrait artist Gilbert Stuart, known for his iconic portraits of George Washington. The museum showcases exhibits on his life and work, as well as the history of the house itself. You can explore the grounds and hiking trails, learn about Stuart’s impact on American art, and see artifacts from the late 18th century.

Jamestown Windmill

The Jamestown Windmill was built in 1896. The windmill was used to produce milled grain. The windmill was restored and preserved as a historic landmark, symbolizing Jamestown’s early industry and community life. You can visit this windmill grounds year-round and go inside the windmill seasonally.

Boyd’s Wind Grist Mill

This eight-vane windmill is one of the last two survivors of more than twenty known windmills that were on Aquidneck Island. What makes this lighthouse unique is it is the only eight-vane windmill ever built and operated in New England. It’s also one of the very few surviving eight-vane windmills in the United States.

Blithewold Manor

Blithewold Manor in Bristol was built in 1895 as a summer estate for Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle. The property is one of the most fully-developed and intact examples of the Country Place Era in the United States. The manor is also nationally significant because of its high artistic value in representing the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. The grounds also feature beautiful gardens and an arboretum.

Prescott Farm

Prescott Farm is an actual working Colonial era farm in Middletown. The property features an 1812 windmill, historical outbuildings, and more. The only original building on the property is the Nicholas-Overing House, which was built in 1730. The formal eighteenth century building was home to the Overing family at the time of the American Revolution. The park is completely free to visit and there are programs seasonally.

Coggeshall Farm Museum

The Coggeshall Farm Museum is a living history museum within Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island. The park interprets rural life in the 18th century. The site features a working farm where visitors can see traditional farming practices and period-appropriate buildings. The museum offers educational programs that highlight the agricultural and social history of the region.

Fort Adams State Park

Fort Adams State Park is a historic site with stunning views of Narragansett Bay. The park is home to Fort Adams, a 19th-century military fortress that played a key role in defending the area during the Civil War and both World Wars. Guided tours are offered that showcase its fascinating history. In addition to its military history, the park features picnic areas, walking trails, and open spaces, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Fort Wetherill State Park

Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island is situated upon 100 foot high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park. The fort’s history as a military site dates back to the American Revolution, although it was known as Fort Dumpling back then. In 1898, what remained of Fort Dumpling was blown up to build more modern defenses. In 1900 Fort Dumpling became Fort Wetherill in honor of Captain Alexander M. Wetherill who died at San Juan Hill in Cuba.