Historical Museum Guide for Rhode Island

Rhode Island History Museums

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum   [History]

This grand mansion home, is filled with period furnishings.  The third floor contains archival collections about the lives of the Blithewold family members. Weddings are a frequent event here.

Coggeshall Farm Living History Museum  [History & Genealogy]

Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University

The museum houses exhibits focused on the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.  Located at 300 Tower Street in Bristol, RI.

Apponaug Village

The historic village has it's beginnings in Native American roots.

James Mitchell Varnum House Museum   [History]

Paine House Historical Museum

Built in 1669 (other sources say 1748) and located at 7 Station Street in Coventry, RI, this historic site was used as an inn by Francis Brayton Jr and in 1849 was sold to Charles Holden, which then became known as Holden Tavern.  After being sold to Phebe Paine, the house remained in the Paine family for 87 years.  It has been restored, furnished in period style and filled with antiques and treasures.

Pawtuxet Village Historical District

[Pawtuxet Historic Buildings]  [Pawtuxet History]  

Varnum Memorial Armory and Military History Museum

Warwick Villages and Historic Places

Astors' Beechwood Mansion   [History]

Living history tours are offered at this famous mansion along with theatrical productions by the Beechwood Theatre Company.  Many weddings are performed here annually.  Located at 580 Bellevue Ave. in Newport, RI.

Babcock - Smith House  [History]

Georgian-style home is located at 124 Granite Street in Westerly, RI

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum   [History]

This museum overlooking Narragansett Bay, details the history of what is known as the third oldest lighthouse on the Atlantic seacoast.

Belcourt Castle Historic Mansion

Breakers, The - Vanderbilt Historic House

Built ca 1893, the mansion boasts 70 rooms of Italian Renaissance-style palazzo.  Tours are available with the Newport Mansions Tours.  Located at 44 Ochre Point Avenue in Newport, RI.

Casey Farm

A living history, working farm, located on 300 acres overlooking Narragansett Bay, RI.  Built in 1750, the farmhouse saw the coming and going of the Revolutionary War.  Visit at 2325 Boston Neck Road in Saunderstown, RI.

Chateau-sur-Mer - Webmore Historic Mansion

Elms, The - Historical Berwind Mansion

Eisenhower House  

[History]  [Picture Gallery]

Commonly referred to as the Summer Whitehouse, the mansion was built in 1873 as the summer home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Location is 1 Lincoln Drive in Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI.

Fort Adams State Park  

[History]  [Photos]

The largest coastal fort ever erected in the United States is just across the Newport Harbor.  Visitors to the Fort can tour the grounds and explore the tunnel system of this grand military fort.  Special events offer military re-enactments and musical festivals.  Take the Jamestown & Newport Ferry to get there. 

Fort Wetherill State Park   [History]

During the time of the Revolutionary War, this site was known as Dumpling Rock and in 1800, Fort Dumpling was established.  In 1898 this fort was enlarged and renamed in honor of Captain Alexander Wetherill who was killed in the Spanish American War.  The fort was used again during both WWI and WWII but was not further used as a military establishment.  Today it's ruins can be explored by visitors.  Located on Wetherill Road in Fort Wetherill State Park, RI.

Hunter House - Historic Home

Isaac Bell Historic House

Jamestown Fire Department Memorial Museum

See and learn about the history of the Jamestown Fire Department in this historical site.  Located at 50 Narragansett Avenue in Jamestown, RI.

Kingscote Historic House

Marble House - Vanderbilt Historic Summer Home

Middletown Historical Society Museums

Museum of Newport History

Located at 127 Thames Street in Newport, RI, this museum offers a glimpse into the rich history of Newport, Rhode Island.  Properties owned by the Newport Historical Society museum include the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House ad the Great Friends Meeting House and they have an expanding collection of genealogy materials.

Naval War College Museum

Newport Historical Mansions

Rosecliff Historic Mansion

Rose Island Lighthouse

Samuel Whitehorne House Museum

Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House

This meeting house is the oldest surviving Baptist Church building in the United States.  Constructed in 1730, the beautiful church features oak beams and carved wood paneling.  Located adjacent to the Newport Historical Society at 82 Tour Street in Newport, RI.

Tiverton Four Corners Historic Houses

Watson Farm

Whitehall Museum House  [History]

Once the home to Bishop George Berkeley, the farmhouse was enlarged in 1729 to become a country manor house.  Today the house is operated as a museum by the Whitehall Committee of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.   Inside the home has been furnished with furnishings from the 18th century.  Open to the public.  Guided tours featured during the season.  Located at 311 Berkeley Avenue in Middletown, RI.

Wilbor House Museum & Little Compton Historical Society

Annmary Brown Memorial

The memorial houses art exhibits of 17th through 20th century paintings from Europe and America.  Located at 21 Brown Street in Providence, RI.

Cape Verdean Museum

Featuring two rooms of artifacts and photos, the Cape Verdean Museum is a place where visitors can learn about the history and geography of Cape Verde.  Located at 1003 Waterman Avenue in East Providence, RI.

Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum

Great Road Historic District

Heritage Harbor Museum

John Brown Historical House Museum

Johnston History Museum  [History of Johnston]

Housed inside the 1825 Elijah Angel House and operated by the Johnston Historical Society, the museum is set up on the first floor with period New England furnishings.  Behind the house is the Museum Barn, a reproduction of a post and beam barn.  Inside are artifacts and documents related to the local history.  Located at 101 Putnam Pike in Johnston, RI.

Joy Homestead

Museum of Work and Culture

Providence Historic Homes and Sites

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and Exhibits

Roger Williams National Memorial and Park

The National Memorial honors the life of the founder of Rhode Island.  Visit the Visitor Center to learn about the contributions Roger Williams made for the cause of religious freedom in the United States.

Russian Submarine Museum  

[History of Juliett 484 Submarine: K-77]

Located at Collier Point Park, it is the only Russian Submarine on display in North America.

Slater Mill - Living History Museum

Experience what life was like for New England villagers.  Interpreters in authentic costume explain and demonstrate life in the 1830s.  Historic buildings include the 1758 Sylvanus Brown House, the Wilkinson Mill and the old Slater Mill.  A learning experience for all ages.  Location: 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI.

Sprague Mansion in Cranston

[Sprague Mansion Brochure - PDF File]

Stephen Hopkins House

[Stephen Hopkins History Timeline]

The home of Stephen Hopkins, governor, merchant and ship builder and signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Open to the public for tours but visitors are advised to call for times and appointments.  Located at 15 Hopkins Street in Providence, RI.  Phone: 401-421-0694.

Gilbert Stuart's Birthplace and History Museum   [Grist Mill]

Pettaquamscutt Historical Society Museum & Library

[History of the Washington County Jail]

Located in the Old Washington County Jail, the historical society focuses on the study and appreciation of the region's history.  The society holds collections of antique furniture, historical artifacts, decorative arts, manuscripts, books, photographs, slides, negatives, maps, newsprint and other items related to the history and heritage of Kingston and the surrounding area.  A research library is available for those interested in research of Washington County and Rhode Island.  Located at 2636 Kingstown Road in Kingston, RI.

Smith's Castle History Museum

South Country Living History Museum

Westerly Armory   [Photos]  [History]

The largest memorial to service members in South Country, RI was erected between 1901 and 1902.  The museum displays military and community memorabilia and is home to the Westerly Band.

Museum Index for Other States

Rhode Island Census Records