Treasures Inside the Museum

Get an exclusive look behind the scenes at The Preservation Society of Newport County to see how exhibits at the Newport Mansions are developed. Follow museum staff as they move pieces from their collections and create an updated narrative for visitors.

Discover history from Smith's Castle that goes back almost 400 years. A small book from 1737 believed to once been used to educate enslaved people is just one of the treasures uncovered here. Then, take a boat ride to Rose Island for a private tour of the lighthouse that was an important aid to navigation on Narragansett Bay.

The Providence Library is a repository for so much more than books. Go inside the special collections and discover what researchers are learning here. Then, at Casey Farm in North Kingstown, step inside a small museum with exhibits curated by Historic New England that reflect the long history of this land.

The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame is one of Newport’s newest attractions. It’s an interactive museum with pieces that will be of interest to both sailors and non-sailors alike. Then, visit the Washington Lodge No. 3 to see some of the rare items preserved from one of the oldest Masonic Temples in the country.

Newport is home to The National Museum of American Illustration where hundreds of one-of-a-kind original works of art from the likes of JC Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell can be seen. Then, make a visit to the Lippitt House in Providence where generations of one family’s history is preserved.

The Portsmouth Historical Society has assembled a large collection covering the town's history, filling 3 buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse and the original Town Hall. Later, The Artillery Company of Newport opens its doors. Collections include some rare flags and a cannon from Paul Revere.

There is so much more to Fort Adams than a State Park and music festivals. Delve into the military history that lives here, take a peek into the preservation efforts and discover the underground “listening tunnels”.