Newport & Beyond

The Redwood Library and Athenæum is located in Newport, Rhode Island. An extraordinary blend of old and new, Newport is a diverse and interesting environment that holds claim to some of our nation's richest historical treasures.

Located on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, once known to the Indians as the "Isle of Peace," the city of Newport was founded in 1639. At that time, Rhode Island was the only colony of the 13 original British North American Colonies offering true religious freedom. Consequently, in its earliest days, Newport represented a safe haven for those attempting to escape religious persecution and was a far cry from the capital of high society it would later become.

By the 1700s, in a period when transportation of goods over land was difficult or non-existent, Newport's sealines of commerce enabled it to develop as a major seaport along with Boston, Charleston, New York and Philadelphia.

Newport became a colonial capitol and had the fifth largest population in America prior to the War of Independence. However, its importance as a major port began to wane as the British targeted and occupied the city with military forces. Never matching that magnitude of commerce again, the days of Newport as a leading commercial seaport came to an end.

A renaissance initiated in the 1800s as artists and intellectuals found their way to Newport, carrying with them Newport's Golden Age. During this time, it became home to many of America's wealthiest families of the Victorian period, including the Vanderbilts and Astors. See also Newport Notables.

Today, the "City by the Sea" remains internationally famous and after hosting for many years America's Cup Races, is considered to be the "Sailing Capital of the World."