Rhode Island’s Historic Sites
Rhode Island’s history stretches back centuries, and much of it is protected for the public to see.
Charming Chepachet is home to the Brown and Hopkins Country Store – the oldest continuously operating general store in America. Chepachet itself is worth a visit for history buffs, who loves its antique shops and tidy park. Pawtucket is home to the Looff Carousel, which was built in 1895, and in Lincoln you can see the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop and hear the ring of the anvil and the smell of hot steel.
On Block Island, Settler’s Rock honors where settlers first landed in 1661. Over in Barrington you can see the splendid town hall with its two circular towers and an 18th century museum. The 1752 Maxwell House is in the center of Warren and Providence shelters the first Baptist Church in America – the Meeting House was erected in 1775. Also in Providence, visitors can step into the ornate Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, where a 45-minute tour leads past notable works of art and architecture, or the Bayard Ewing Building, a brick Greek-Revival commercial building which has been home to some of the city’s most important commercial enterprises.
General Nathanael Greene Homestead
There are many ways for you to enjoy your next say in Rhode Island. Plan out your visit and head for Coventry, the charming town just west of Warwick. In Coventry, you'll want to explore the General Nathanael Greene Homestead, one of the state's most historic destinations.
Found along Taft Street, neatly situated along a big curve in the Pawtuxet River, the Gen. Greene Homestead is also known as Spell Hall. See the site where Gen. Greene lived – he was a General in the American Revolutionary War. He lived here from 1770 to 1776. Enjoy a tour of this house which was re-opened as a museum in 1924.
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
Discover and explore the oldest surviving synagogue in America – the Touro Synagogue. Found in Newport, it was originally constructed in 1763. The synagogue has been a hallmark of Newport ever since. In 1946, the synagogue was declared a National Historic Site.
Today, the site offers guided tours and also serves as a house of prayer, ceremonial location, and special events. The site is located near Warwick.