Newport Historic District (Rhode Island)
Newport Historic District | |
Location | Newport, RI |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41°29′24″N 71°18′49″W / 41.49000°N 71.31361°W |
Area | 250 acres (100 ha) |
Built | late 17th-late 19th century |
Architectural style | Georgian, Colonial, mix of later styles |
NRHP reference No. | 68000001 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968[1] |
Designated NHLD | November 24, 1968[2] |
The Newport Historic District is a historic district that covers 250 acres (100 ha) in the center of Newport in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1968 due to its extensive and well-preserved assortment of intact colonial buildings dating from the early and mid-18th century. Six of those buildings are themselves NHLs in their own right, including the city's oldest house and the former meeting place of the colonial and state legislatures. Newer and modern buildings coexist with the historic structures.
It is a major tourist attraction due to its history, its setting on Newport's waterfront and the shops located within it along Thames Street. In 1997, it doubled for mid-19th-century
Geography
The district is described by the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as being roughly bounded by Van Zandt Avenue to the north; Farewell, Sherman, High and Thomas streets on the east; Golden Hill, Thames and Marsh streets in the south and Washington Street on the west, just before the shores of Narragansett Bay. This area includes the Easton's Point neighborhood and its concentration of colonial houses on the north, Washington Square, the shops and stores along Thames Street near the waterfront, and the blocks inland up the gentle rise to the Bellevue Avenue neighborhoods.
In 2007 the city proposed increasing the district's boundaries to include the ten-acre (4 ha) common burial ground at the north end, which dates to 1660.[5] As of 2008[update] the National Park Service has not announced whether it will approve the request.
History
Colonial era
The historic district is the core of the original city of Newport as it was during the years from its founding in 1639 to the
Wood was also used to build
Religious tolerance led to the immigration of
The city prospered as it became a more important port, and eventually sea captains who had made their fortunes began to settle down and build larger houses for themselves.[6] One of these homes, Hunter House, another NHL located along the water in Easton's Point, is preserved today for its quality cabinetry, much of it originally manufactured in Newport. [7]
19th century
After
Throughout most of that century, the downtown area remained a major, although somewhat neglected, port area, sustained by the nearby naval presence. Fleets were based in Newport, and the Naval War College is nearby, along with other naval facilities along the western shore of Aquidneck Island. Newer buildings in 19th-century styles, particularly Italianate, were erected along Thames, and many of these were home to businesses that catered to sailors on leave.
20th century
In the years after the Civil War, the new rich of the Gilded Age began to rediscover Newport as a summer getaway, building larger and larger homes along and near Bellevue Avenue to the east. After the legislature moved to Providence full-time in 1900, depriving the city of some of its economy, the newer residents began to show an interest in preserving Newport's rich architectural past. They established the Newport Historical Society, and endowed some of their family fortunes towards architect Norman Isham's projects to restore the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, the Brick Market and Colony House during the 1920s and '30s.[6] The fight to save the Hunter House from demolition led to the formation of another important local organization, the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Other local efforts concentrated on other houses later on, and they were eventually recognized with the NHL designations of the individual buildings in the early 1960s. The city created the district by ordinance in 1965,[9] and it was recognized as an NHL itself in 1968.[2][10]
The loss of the naval fleet in 1971 was a serious blow to the economy, and eventually the city controversially authorized the removal of many old
In the mid-1980s, the America's Cup was finally lost to an Australian team, and left the city. The downtown area adapted by focusing on
Significant contributing properties
Many of the 392 buildings within the district are considered
National Historic Landmarks
Unless otherwise noted, these are managed as museums by the Newport Historical Society.
- Brick Market, today the Museum of Newport History. Built in 1762 by self-taught architect Peter Harrison, it is located at the west end of Washington Square, along Thames Street. It demonstrates an advanced and sophisticated classicism throughout its Georgian design.
- Hunter House, on Washington Street in Easton's Point. A well-preserved Georgian frame house that contains much high-quality woodworking and furniture from Newport cabinetmakers of the period. Managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
- Old Colony House, at the east end of Washington Square where Broadway enters. The colonial and state legislatures met in this well-preserved Georgian public building, the fourth-oldest statehouse in the U.S.
- Episcopalcongregation.
- Vernon House, on Clarke Street. Excellent, correctly proportioned Georgian frame house.
- Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, on Broadway a short distance from the Colony House. Another Munday design, built by at least 1697, this is the oldest house in Newport. Its renovation reflects several different styles it passed through in the century after its construction.
Registered Historic Places
- Beaux Arts building on Washington Square was a popular destination for off-duty military personnel after its 1911 construction. Now serves as low-income housing.[11]
- Great Friends Meeting House, on Marlborough Street. Built by Quakers in 1699, it is the oldest house of worship in the state.
- Portuguese Jewishpopulation.
- White Horse TavernOn its current site on Marlborough Street since 1652, in its current building since 1687, making it the oldest drinking establishment in the U.S.
Historic District Commission
To maintain the district's historic character, the city created its Historic District Commission (HDC) at the same time as the district itself. It consists of nine citizens appointed to three-year terms by the City Council to oversee not just the downtown historic district but Newport's other historic districts, two of which (Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive) are also recognized as National Historic Landmarks. The city considers them all one large district for its administrative purposes.[9]
The HDC must review any exterior alterations to a building in the district beyond ordinary maintenance and repair, and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness. It cannot order any changes made to a property.[9]
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport County, Rhode Island
- Southern Thames Historic District, south of this district
- Kay Street-Catherine Street-Old Beach Road Historic District, northeast of this district
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007. Archived from the original on June 1, 2007.
- ^ a b "Newport Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ Providence Journal. Archived from the originalon October 11, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
- ^ ISBN 0-393-30271-7.
- ^ "National Historic Landmark nomination, Newport Historic District (Boundary Increase)" (PDF).
- ^ a b c McLoughlin, op. cit., xiii.
- ^ Carpenter, Ralph (April 1995). "Newport, a center of colonial cabinetmaking". Magazine Antiques. Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
- ^ "NHS/The Newport Colony House". Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ a b c "City of Newport – Department of Planning, Zoning and Inspection – Historic District Commission". Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
- ^ Heintzelman, Patricia & Charles Snell (October 1975). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Newport Historic District / Newport (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 13 photos, from 1975 (32 KB)