Places of Interest in Portsmouth
This is a guide to help citizens and visitors alike to explore Portsmouth Driving directions and walking tours will be provided. Sites of interest of all of Portsouth's history are listed. We will post here suggested tours from several hours to all day.
Interactive Directions Map
Interactive Directions Map
Portsmouth Historical Society 706 East Main Rd, Portsmouth RI, (at corner of Union St.)
The Portsmouth Historical Society was incorporated in 1938 as part of Portsmouth’s Tri-centennial. It is a non-profit entirely volunteer educational organization devoted to the preservation of Portsmouth's historic buildings, sites, and artifacts. The Portsmouth Historical Society has worked to preserve the Christian Union Church (1865) as its headquarters and museum by using grants from the Champlin Foundations. The outside of the building and the upstairs of the church are completed. Our The Southermost School (1725) was moved to the Portsmouth Historical Society site in 1952. It has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Town Hall (circa 1850) was moved to the Portsmouth Historical Society site in 1975. It now houses a large collection of farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles. Located on the lower level of the main building are a museum, Julia Ward Howe room and small reference library. Showcases display various artifacts from Portsmouth’s early to recent history. Temporary exhibits, focused around a theme, are changed each year utilizing documents and items donated to our collection. The collecting, archiving and cataloging of items is an ongoing process. The Portsmouth Historical Society presents historical programs and speakers, has provided assistance with genealogical searches, property identification and research. It has provided tours of various historical sites and is the host for the Beirut Memorial Ceremony each October 23. Society members participated in the provision and dedication of the memorials to Anne Hutchinson, and Mary Dyer which were placed at Founders' Brook, has hosted meetings of the League of Historical Societies and has a cooperative relationship with the Portsmouth Conservation Commission. Members participated in the survey of Portsmouth's family and historical cemeteries.
The Portsmouth Historical Society is open Sundays from 2 to 4, Memorial Day through Columbus Day as well as by appointment and for special events. Membership is $10/year and admission to the museum is free.
The Portsmouth Historical Society is open Sundays from 2 to 4, Memorial Day through Columbus Day as well as by appointment and for special events. Membership is $10/year and admission to the museum is free.
Portsmouth Cemeteries
Many of Portsmouth's private cemeteries have been documented. A listing can be reviewed at the RI Cemeteries Database.
Oakland Forest 1/4 Mile down Carriage Drive
A small forest off Carriage Drive has a walking trail through what, reportedly, has one of of the oldest stand of American Beech Trees in the US. The Aquidneck Island Land Trust has developed a walking trail through the forest. There is a small parking area off Carriage Drive. Take East Main Road North and head East on Union Street. Carriage Dr is your first street on the left. The parking area is on the left about 1/4 mile down Carriage Dr.
1638 to 1770
Founders Brook
Memorials at this brook honor the settlers who arrived at this site in Portsmouth and the compact the founders signed March 7, 1638 before they left Boston. They pledged to establish a “bodie politck” what would be under God’s law. Anne Hutchinson, John Clarke and William Coddington were among the early leaders. Off Boyd's Lane (MORE)
Town Pond
The place where the first colonial settlers landed in 1638. Just off Anthony Road. (MORE)
Friends Meeting House
Circa 1700, now is the Portsmouth Evangelical Friends Church.
Old Stone Bridge
Providing a crossing to Tiverton back to 1700, the last Stone Bridge was damaged during hurricane Carol in 1954 and was subsequently replaced by the old Sakonnet River Bridge that was replaced in 2012.
Bristol Ferry Town Commons
This is the site of a town common dating back to 1714. Farmers. Ferry service started here in 1640. This 1.5 acre space was originally used by farmers and others to keep their livestock and other goods while waiting for the ferry to Bristol. This became a transportation hub for Portsmouth with steamboats, trolleys, trains and ferries all stopping here. The opening of the Mount Hope Bridge in 1929 ended the ferry service.
Prescott Farm
Many Rhode Islanders remained loyal to the Crown during the American Revolution, including Henry Overing who owned this property in the 1770s. During the war, approximately 5,000 British soldiers occupied this
island and their commander, General Richard Prescott, often stayed at Overing’s house. Alerted to the General’s vulnerable position, patriot commander Lieutenant Colonel William Barton led 40 soldiers in a raid on the night of July 10, 1777. Making their way from Warwick across the bay in whale boats and avoiding detection by two British warships, they landed about a mile from here and successfully captured Prescott. They received great praise from George Washington who was then able to make a trade for Major General Charles
Lee, a British captive who was George Washington’s third in command. Now owned by the Newport Restoration Foundation, the public is welcome to enjoy this historic site, its gardens and walking trails, for free, from dawn to
dusk. (Click Here for More)
island and their commander, General Richard Prescott, often stayed at Overing’s house. Alerted to the General’s vulnerable position, patriot commander Lieutenant Colonel William Barton led 40 soldiers in a raid on the night of July 10, 1777. Making their way from Warwick across the bay in whale boats and avoiding detection by two British warships, they landed about a mile from here and successfully captured Prescott. They received great praise from George Washington who was then able to make a trade for Major General Charles
Lee, a British captive who was George Washington’s third in command. Now owned by the Newport Restoration Foundation, the public is welcome to enjoy this historic site, its gardens and walking trails, for free, from dawn to
dusk. (Click Here for More)
Lafayette House 2951 East Main Road, Portsmouth RI
Also known as Joseph Dennis Hous (1760) French General Lafayette stayed here just before the Battle of Rhode Island. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE)
DC Stoneware - 3140 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI
The building where DC Stoneware is located is nearly as old as the town at 350 years. It used to be part of the Anthony Farm which was located at the top of Park Avenue. The
Anthony Farm belonged to Denise Caron Wilkey's husband's grandmother's family (
Elizabeth Anthony Wilkey). The entire rear wall of the studio is a set of drawers which is where Elizabet's grandfather stored his seeds. He was the largest seed man in NE. The house out front is one of the oldest in Portsmouth. The Gallery was an old "yankee" workshop. Preserved and on display are all the old tools and antiques that have always been in the building. The web site is www.dcstoneware.com .
Anthony Farm belonged to Denise Caron Wilkey's husband's grandmother's family (
Elizabeth Anthony Wilkey). The entire rear wall of the studio is a set of drawers which is where Elizabet's grandfather stored his seeds. He was the largest seed man in NE. The house out front is one of the oldest in Portsmouth. The Gallery was an old "yankee" workshop. Preserved and on display are all the old tools and antiques that have always been in the building. The web site is www.dcstoneware.com .
1771 - 1800
Patriots Park
The site of the Revolutionary War Battle of RI. RI-114 Just past the entrance to RI-24. (MORE)
Heritage Park
Also associated with the Battle of RI, Heritage Park enjoys the highest point on Aquidneck Island. RI-114 North. Take a right at Hedley St and then first left (after the Town Trash center) (Highpoint Ave.). A parking area is on the left. Walk up the hill for the best views on the island.
Fort Butts
The second highest point on Aquidneck Island is Fort Butts. This was strategic encampment for the Battle of Rhode Island of the revolutionary war. (MORE SOON). A tour of Ft. Butts is scheduled as part of the 375th celebration. Take RI 138 North and left on Sprague St. In about 1/4 mile, take a left onto Butts St and then a left on to Fort Street.
See Ft. Butts from the air (Click Here)
See Ft. Butts from the air (Click Here)
1801 - 1900
Cory Farm - 3124 East Main Rd
The original 1849 Farmhouse at 3124 East Main Rd, Portsmouth was originally owned by the Cory Family. It is now home to Cory Farms Past & Presents an Antique and Gifts
store. The property is almost two acres and has three original barns and a
chicken coop.
store. The property is almost two acres and has three original barns and a
chicken coop.
Gravesite of Medal of Honor Winner James Parker
The grave of Medal of Honor Winner James Parker and other notable historical figures can be found at St. Mary's Cemetery. East Main Road about 3/4 mile south of Union St. (MORE)
The Glen
Glen Farm is a
multi-discipline equestrian facility dedicated to offering top quality care and
training of horse and rider. The picturesque farm is located in Portsmouth RI,
just minutes from Newport and the beaches. The facilities offer beautiful
granite barns built at the turn of the 20th century. Glen Farm has been a
dedicated horse farm since 1907 when it was first built by industrialist Moses
Taylor.
Glen Farm is operated by Ted Torrey life long equine professional. With over 30 years experience training and competing nationally and internationally, Ted has developed the insight and compassion to guide horse and rider to the level they care to achieve. Many of Ted's students have received national recognition for accomplishments in all disciplines.
Glen Farm offers training for children and adults in Jumping, Dressage, Equitation, Polo and Cross Country. The Glen Farm also offers monthly horse shows, clinics and arena polo tournaments.
(Click Here for INfo on the Glen Farm and Stables)
Glen Farm is operated by Ted Torrey life long equine professional. With over 30 years experience training and competing nationally and internationally, Ted has developed the insight and compassion to guide horse and rider to the level they care to achieve. Many of Ted's students have received national recognition for accomplishments in all disciplines.
Glen Farm offers training for children and adults in Jumping, Dressage, Equitation, Polo and Cross Country. The Glen Farm also offers monthly horse shows, clinics and arena polo tournaments.
(Click Here for INfo on the Glen Farm and Stables)
Greenvale Vineyards
Greenvale Vineyards produces small quantities of exceptional estate grown wines. We are located along the Sakonnet River in Portsmouth, RI, five miles north of downtown Newport.
Come tour the vineyards, taste and learn about delicious wines, enjoy the
beautiful tasting room, the lovely views of the vineyards and the river and hear
about a piece of cultural history.
They have jazz every Saturday from May through November and a year long
schedule of concerts and open houses. We also encourage you to travel the Coastal Wine Trail. (Click Here for the Greevale Web Site)
Come tour the vineyards, taste and learn about delicious wines, enjoy the
beautiful tasting room, the lovely views of the vineyards and the river and hear
about a piece of cultural history.
They have jazz every Saturday from May through November and a year long
schedule of concerts and open houses. We also encourage you to travel the Coastal Wine Trail. (Click Here for the Greevale Web Site)
Oak Glen 745 Union St, Portsmouth RI
Established in 1858, Oak Glen was the home of Julia Ward Howe. She authored the "Battle Hymn of the Republic". She was active in the suffrage and abolitionists movements. Shae died here in 1910 at the age of 91. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 745 Union St. (MORE to COME SOON)
1901 - 1939
1940-1954
Prudence Island Research Reserve
During WWII, the Navy used the South end of Prudence Island as an Ammunition Depot. Artifacts can still be seen from that era. See the Research Reserve Web Page for walking trail information.
Melville PT Boat Training Area
During WWII, the Melville area was the site of a PT Boat Training facility. President John F. Kennedy trained at Melville. The Quonset Huts from that era have been turned into commercial marine support establishments. The Melville Grille has memorabilia from that era.