In 1658, a group of Jews were welcomed to settle in Newport, fleeing theInquisition in Spain and Portugal. They were not allowed to settle elsewhere. This group eventually came to be known as Congregation Jeshuat Israel, and is the second-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. They meet inTouro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in America.
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations received its royal charter in 1663.Benedict Arnold was elected as the first governor. TheOld Colony House at the head ofWashington Square in Newport served as the seat of Rhode Island's government from 1741 until the currentRhode Island State House was completed inProvidence in 1904. At that time, Providence became the state's sole capital city.
Newport was the most important port in colonial Rhode Island, and a public school was established in 1640. The commercial activity that raised Newport to its fame as a rich port began with the immigration of a second wave ofPortuguese Jews, who settled there around the middle of the 18th century. The new settlers had been practicing Judaism secretly for 300 years in Portugal, and they were attracted to Rhode Island because of its freedom of worship. They brought with them commercial experience, connections, capital, and a spirit of enterprise.
Most prominent among them was Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, who arrived in 1745 (died 1789). Rivera introduced the manufacture ofsperm oil, derived from sperm whales. This became one of Newport's leading industries and made the town a wealthy, prominent whaling community.[7] Newport developed 17 manufacturers of oil and candles, and enjoyed a practical monopoly of this trade until theAmerican Revolution.
Aaron Lopez is also credited with making Newport an important center of trade.[8] He encouraged 40 Portuguese Jewish families to settle there, and Newport had 150 vessels engaged in trade within 14 years.[9] Lopez was involved in the slave trade, as were other shipping magnates, and the manufacture ofspermaceti candles, ships, barrels, rum, chocolate, textiles, clothes, shoes, hats, and bottles.[10] Lopez became the wealthiest man in Newport, but he was denied citizenship on religious grounds, even though British law protected the rights of Jews to become citizens in England.[11]
Lopez appealed to the Rhode Island colonial legislature for redress and was refused with this ruling:[12][13]
Inasmuch as the said Aaron Lopez hath declared himself by religion a Jew, this Assembly doth not admit himself nor any other of that religion to the full freedom of this Colony. So that the said Aaron Lopez nor any other of said religion is not liable to be chosen into any office in this colony nor allowed to give vote as a free man in choosing others.
From the mid-17th century, the religious tolerance in Newport attracted numbers ofQuakers, known also as theSociety of Friends.[14] TheGreat Friends Meeting House in Newport (1699) is the oldest existing structure of worship in Rhode Island.
In 1727,James Franklin (brother ofBenjamin Franklin) printed theRhode-Island Almanack in Newport. In 1732, he published the first newspaper, theRhode Island Gazette. In 1758, his son James founded the weekly newspaperMercury. The famous 18th-centuryGoddard and Townsend furniture was also made in Newport.[15]
Throughout the 18th-century, Newport suffered from an imbalance of trade with the largest colonial ports. As a result, Newport merchants were forced to develop alternatives to conventional exports.[16] In the 1720s, Colonial leaders arrested many pirates, acting under pressure from the British government. Many were hanged in Newport and buried onGoat Island.
Newport was a major center of the slave trade in colonial and early America, active in the"triangle trade" in which slave-produced sugar and molasses from the Caribbean were carried to Rhode Island and distilled intorum that was then carried to West Africa and exchanged for captives. In 1764, Rhode Island had about 30 rum distilleries, 22 in Newport alone.
Slaves were trafficked illegally into Rhode Island, breaking a 1787 law prohibiting residents of the state from trading in slaves. Slave traders were also breaking federal statutes of 1794 and 1800 barring Americans from carrying slaves to ports outside the United States, as well as the1807 Congressional act abolishing the transatlantic slave trade.
A few Rhode Island families made substantial fortunes in the trade.William and Samuel Vernon were Newport merchants who later played an important role in financing the creation of the United States Navy; they sponsored 30 African slaving ventures. However, it was the DeWolfs ofBristol, Rhode Island, and most notablyJames De Wolf, who were the largest slave-trading family in America, mounting more than 80 transatlantic voyages, most of them illegal. The Rhode Island slave trade was broadly based. Seven hundred Rhode Islanders owned or captained slave ships, most of whom were substantial merchants, though many were ordinary shopkeepers and tradesmen who purchased shares in slaving voyages.[17]
Newport was inhabited by a small group of abolitionists and free blacks. ReverendSamuel Hopkins, minister at Newport'sFirst Congregational Church, has been called "America's first abolitionist".[18] Among subscribers to Hopkins' writings were 17 free black citizens, most of whom lived in Newport.[18] This community of freemen, includingNewport Gardner, founded theFree African Union Society in 1780, the first African mutual aid society in America.[19]
In the winter of 1775, and 1776, theRhode Island Legislature placed militia generalWilliam West in charge of rooting outloyalists in Newport, which resulted in several individuals being exiled to the northern part of the state, includingJoseph Wanton and Thomas Vernon.[20]
On December 8, 1776, the British occupied the city without opposition.Sir Peter Parker led 50-gun British ships, while Lieutenant-GeneralHenry Clinton led 7,000 troops. According toAlfred Thayer Mahan, "The immediate effect was to close a haven ofprivateers, which flanked the route of all vessels bound from Europe to New York."[21]
In the summer of 1778, the Americans began the campaign known as theBattle of Rhode Island. This was the first joint operation between the Americans and the French after the signing of theTreaty of Alliance. The Americans based inTiverton planned a formal siege of the town, but the French refused to take part, instead preferring a frontal assault. This weakened the American position, and the British were able to expel the Americans from the island.
In 1779, the British abandoned the location.Rodney lamented, "The evacuating Rhode Island was the most fatal measure that could possibly have been adopted. It gave up the best and noblest harbor in America, capable of containing the whole Navy of Britain, and where they could in all seasons lie in perfect security; and from whence squadrons, in forty-eight hours, could blockade the three capital cities of America; namely, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia."[21]
Newport's population fell from over 9,000 (according to the census of 1774) to fewer than 4,000 by the time that the war ended (1783). Over 200 abandoned buildings were torn down in the 1780s. The war destroyed Newport's economic wealth, because years of military occupation closed the city to any form of trade.
Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, wealthy southern planters seeking to escape the heat began to build summer cottages on Bellevue Avenue, such asKingscote (1839).[22] Around the middle of the century, wealthy northerners, such as the Wetmore family, began construction on larger mansions, such asChateau-sur-Mer (1852) nearby.[23] Most of these early families made a substantial part of their fortunes in theOld China Trade.[24]
By the turn of the 20th century, many of the nation's wealthiest families were summering in Newport, including theVanderbilts,Astors, and theWidener family, who constructed the largest "cottages", such asThe Breakers (1895) andMiramar (1915).[25] They resided for a brief summer social season in grand mansions with elaborate receiving rooms, dining rooms, music rooms, and ballrooms—but with few bedrooms, since the guests were expected to have "cottages" of their own. Many of the homes were designed by New York architectRichard Morris Hunt, who kept a house in Newport himself.
The social scene at Newport is described inEdith Wharton's novelThe Age of Innocence. Wharton's own Newport "cottage" was called Land's End. Today, many mansions continue in private use.Hammersmith Farm is the mansion whereJohn F. Kennedy andJackie Kennedy held their wedding reception; it was open to tourists as a "house museum", but has since been purchased and reconverted into a private residence. Many of the other mansions are open to tourists, and others were converted into academic buildings forSalve Regina College in the 1930s, when the owners could no longer afford their tax bills.
In the mid-19th century, a large number ofIrish immigrants settled in Newport. The Fifth Ward of Newport in the southern part of the city became a staunch Irish neighborhood for many generations. To this day, St. Patrick's Day is an important day of pride and celebration in Newport, with a large parade down Thames Street.
The oldest Catholic parish in Rhode Island isSt. Mary's, located on Spring Street, though the current building is not original.
Rhode Island did not have a fixed capital during and after the colonial era, but rotated its legislative sessions among Providence, Newport, Bristol, East Greenwich, and South Kingstown. In 1854, the sessions were eliminated in cities other than Providence and Newport, and Newport was ultimately dropped in 1900 as a constitutional amendment that year restricted the meetings of the legislature to Providence.[26]
The departure of the Cruiser-Destroyer fleet from Newport, and the closure of nearbyNaval Air Station Quonset Point in 1973 were devastating to the local economy. The population of Newport decreased, businesses closed, and property values plummeted. However, in the late 1960s, the city began revitalizing the downtown area with the construction of America's Cup Avenue, malls of stores and condominiums, and upscale hotels. Construction was also completed on theClaiborne Pell Bridge. ThePreservation Society of Newport County began opening Newport's historic mansions to the public, and the tourist industry has become Newport's primary commercial enterprise over the subsequent years.[31]
Newport has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfa/Dfb), bordering on ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) andoceanic climate (KöppenCfb). Being surrounded by ocean water, Newport is often cooler in the summer than some coastal cities further north, such asBoston. According to the USDA, Newport is located in plant hardiness zone 7a.
Climate data for Newport, Rhode Island (Rose Island Light), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–2003
Of the 10,898 households, 18.9% had children under the age of 18; 31.0% were married couples living together; 37.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. Of households, 41.8% consisted of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[39] The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.8.[43] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 41.0% of the population.[44]
Of the population, 14.5% was under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 106.4 males.[39] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 108.3 males.[39]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $68,201 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,880) and the median family income was $96,161 (+/- $10,800). Males had a median income of $40,018 (+/- $3,361) versus $29,535 (+/- $3,288) for females.[45] The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,315 (+/- $2,816).[46] Approximately, 12.4% of families and 14.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those ages 65 or over.[47][48]
As of 2013, there were 24,027 people, 10,616 households, and 4,933 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,204.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,237.1/km2). There were 13,069 housing units at an average density of 1,697.3 per square mile (655.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.5%White, 6.9%African American, 0.8%Native American, 1.4%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 3.1%some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 8.4% of the population (3.3%Puerto Rican, 1.2%Guatemalan, 1.1%Mexican[49]).[50]
There were 10,616 households, out of which: 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.9% were headed by married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.5% were non-families. Of all households, 41.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05, and the average family size was 2.82.[50]
The age distribution was 16.5% under the age of 18, 16.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.[50]
For the period 2009–2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $59,388, and the median income for a family was $83,880. Male full-time workers had a median income of $52,221 versus $41,679 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,644. About 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line.[51]
TheNewport Historic District — one of the city's threeNational Historic Landmark Districts — boasts one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation. Doris Duke, heir to the tobacco fortune of her father, James B. Duke, founded the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) in 1968, and for the next 25 years, until her death in 1993, saved much of Newport's colonial architectural heritage. Under Duke's leadership, the NRF restored more than 80 18th- and early 19th-century buildings in Newport and neighboring Middletown, Rhode Island, most of which are still owned by the Foundation.[52]
TheWhite Horse Tavern was built prior to 1673 and is one of the oldest taverns in the US.[53] Newport is also home to theTouro Synagogue,[54] one of the oldest Jewish houses of worship in the Western hemisphere. Newport also has the nation's oldest lending libraries, theRedwood Library and Athenaeum.[55]
Newport is the hometown ofThe Cowsills, a pop group formed by the members of the Cowsill family, which had success in the late 1960s.[56] Thealternative rock bandThrowing Muses was founded in Newport in the 1980s by step-sistersKristin Hersh andTanya Donelly.[57]Belly, an alternative band formed by Donnelly in the 1990s, was also based in Newport.[58]
Fort Adams State Park hosts both theNewport Folk Festival and theNewport Jazz Festival. The Jazz Festival was established in 1954 by local socialiteElaine Lorillard and music promoterGeorge Wein. It was held annually until 1971, and was re-established in Newport in 1981.[59][60] In 1959, George Wein, folk singerPete Seeger, and music managerAlbert Grossman established the Newport Folk Festival as a counterpart to the Jazz Festival.[61] It was held in Newport through 1969, returned to the city in 1985, and has been held annually at Fort Adams since.[61] The Folk Festival was the venue for acontroversial performance by singer-songwriterBob Dylan in July 1965 that proved influential on thefolk rock genre.[62][63] Both festivals were held at other venues in Newport before moving to Fort Adams when they were revived in the 1980s.[64][61]
The Jane Pickens Theater, a single-screenarthouse movie theater, is located on Touro Street in downtown Newport.[65] The theater was built as a church in 1834, and was converted into a movie theater in 1922.[66] The theater was renamed after singerJane Pickens in 1974.[66] The Jane Pickens Theater became the only movie theater on Aquidneck Island after a multiplex theater in Middletown closed in January 2024.[67][68]
The Hamilton Family Aquarium, operated by the non-profitSave the Bay, opened at the Gateway Center on America's Cup Avenue in March 2024.[71] Save the Bay had previously operated an aquarium at Easton's Beach until October 2023.[72]
Because of its history as a summer playground for the wealthy, Newport has played a major role in the history and development of several sports. TheLeague of American Wheelmen was formed in Newport in 1880.[73] The firstU.S. national tennis championships were held in 1881 on grass courts at the Newport Casino. The firstU.S. Open golf tournament was played in 1895 at theNewport Country Club. TheAmerica's Cup sailing races were held in Newport from 1930 to 1983.
Newport was the site of theAmerica's Cup sailing races from 1930 to 1983, and it remains the starting point of the biannual 635 nautical-mileNewport Bermuda Race.[78][79]
Newport is home to theNewport Country Club, which hosted both the first U.S. Amateur Championship and the first U.S. Open in 1895. More recently, the Newport Country Club hosted the 1995 Men'sUS Amateurs and the2006 U.S. Women's Open.
In the late nineteenth century, Newport became the center of an emerging pastime for young, athletic, upper-class men: bicycling.[80] On May 29, 1880, representatives of 31 cycling clubs convened in Newport to hold a parade and meeting, and formed theLeague of American Wheelmen, the first national bicycling organization.[73][80] The League was instrumental in establishing theGood Roads Movement.[80]
Since its formation in 1919, the amateur George Donnelly Sunset League has played at Cardines Field.Salve Regina University also plays select baseball games at the park.
Aquidneck Island has several beaches, both public and private. The largest public beach is Easton's beach or First Beach, which has a view of theNewport Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) public access walkway bordering the shoreline and has been designated aNational Recreation Trail. Sachuest Beach or Second Beach in Middletown is the second-largest beach in the area.Gooseberry Beach is private but is open to the public on certain days of the year. It is located onOcean Drive, along with the private beaches,Bailey's Beach and Hazard's Beach. In 2014 Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., completed a $3.5 million renovation of Queen Anne Square Park, titled "The Meeting Room".[88]
Newport Public Schools operates public schools for the area includingClaiborne Pell Elementary School, Thompson Middle School,Rogers High School, Newport Area Career and Technical Center, and the Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center. Prior to 2013, multiple small public elementary schools served the Newport community; the Pell School, a consolidation of those schools, opened in 2013.[89]
St. Michael's Country Day School is the only private elementary school in the city.[90] Nearby private primary schools include All Saints Academy inMiddletown, The Pennfield School inPortsmouth, and St. Philomena School in Portsmouth.[91] Nearby private secondary schools includePortsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth andSt. George's School in Middletown.
St. Joseph of Cluny School was formerly located in Newport, on property given by the estate of Arthur Curtiss James to theRoman Catholic Diocese of Providence in 1941. Military families fromFort Adams requested a Catholic school, so St. Joseph of Cluny opened in September 1957 as a kindergarten and added grades until 1965, when the first eighth-grade graduation was held.[92] Later on, the overall population of Newport declined along with the concentration of middle class families. Much of the housing became too expensive for families with young children, and there were relatively few houses sold to new residents. In addition, many families previously going to the school instead sent their children to thePortsmouth School Department.[91] From 2014 to 2017, the enrollment decreased by a quarter. The school administration stated that this decline and the general competition among private schools in the Newport area meant the operation of the school was no longer viable. It closed in 2017.[93] Betsy Sherman Walker ofNewport This Week described the closure as a "curveball", unexpected by the community.[91]
While technology and defense are the largest employment sectors in the region, seasonal tourism is a major economic engine of the city of Newport, including hotels, restaurants, and retail. As of 2013, 89.64% of all private employment in the city of Newport was in the service sector.[94] Retail trade was the third largest sector, with 1,341 jobs.[94] Retail and restaurant employment can swell by as many as 1,500 jobs during the peak summer season.[94]
^Settlement of the Jews in North America. Charles P. Daly, Ll.D., President of the American Geographical Society; P. Cowen, 1893, Digitized March 17, 2008>
^Wiernik, Peter.History of the Jews in America: From the Period of the Discovery of the New World to the Present Time. The Jewish Press Publishing Company, 1912, p. 73.
^Kaplan, Marilyn (2004), "The Jewish Merchants of Newport, 1749–1790", in George M. Goodwin and Ellen Smith (eds.),The Jews of Rhode Island, Waltham, MA: Brandeis University PressISBN1-58465-424-4
^Feldberg, Michael (ed.) (2002). "Aaron Lopez's Struggle for Citizenship".Blessings of Freedom: Chapters in American Jewish History. New York: American Jewish Historical Society.ISBN0-88125-756-7.
^Barth, Jack (1991).Roadside Hollywood: The Movie Lover's State-By-State Guide to Film Locations, Celebrity Hangouts, Celluloid Tourist Attractions, and More. Contemporary Books. Pages 256–257.ISBN9780809243266.
^abcAllen, John S. (1968)."THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WHEELMEN AND THE GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT 1880 – 1912"(PDF).John S. Allen. RetrievedMay 4, 2021.The desire of Frank Weston and Charles Pratt for a national bicycle organization rallied a bicycle meet at Newport, Rhode Island on May 29, 1880. Previous to the parade, a meeting called by Pratt was held in the skating rink. It was at this meeting that the League of American Wheelmen came into being, in response to this new and rapidly emerging cycling craze.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
