National Historic Landmark

Old Colony House

Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
66000014

About this property

The Old Colony House, also known as Old State House or Newport Colony House, is located at the east end of Washington Square in the city of Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It is a brick Georgian-style building completed in 1741, and was the meeting place for the colonial legislature. From independence in 1776 to the early 20th century, the state legislature alternated its sessions between here and the Rhode Island State House in Providence. The building has received little alteration since its construction. As one of the best-maintained surviving Georgian public buildings in the United States from the colonial era, it was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1960. It is also a contributing property to the Newport Historic District, later designated an NHL itself. The building is still owned by the state, but managed as a museum by the Newport Historical Society. Besides its political and architectural importance, the building was the site of many important Revolutionary events in Rhode Island. George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower have both been guests at the building. It has been used as a barracks, hospital, courthouse and a location for a Steven Spielberg film.

Location

Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
41.49031, -71.31303

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Everything a full report reveals about Old Colony House

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Nearby Historic Sites

Army and Navy YMCA
Industrial
0 mi
Stiles, Ezra, House
Colonial
0 mi
Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House
Industrial
0 mi
Rogers, Joseph, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Clarke Street Meeting House
Colonial
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

British Occupation of Newport
1776Revolutionary War
0 mi
Battle of Rhode Island
1778Revolutionary War
4.4 mi
Battle of Rhode Island – Black Regiment Action
1778Revolutionary War
6.6 mi
Battle of Rhode Island (1778)
1778Revolutionary War
6.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Colony House listed on the National Register?

Old Colony House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Old Colony House?

Old Colony House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Old Colony House a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Old Colony House has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Old Colony House?

The period of significance for Old Colony House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Old Colony House?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Old Colony House will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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Rhode Island history

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