Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport's Transformation Walking Tour

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Explore Newport’s transformation from colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age opulence. Join our walking tour for rich history, stunning architecture, and captivating stories.

Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Museum Of Newport History And Shop - Guests will check in at the Museum of Newport History. Admission to the museum is included as part of the tour, as is 10% off anything in the shop. IMPORTANT: The museum space on the second floor is not on the walking tour. It is recommended guests arrive early or come back after the tour to view the museum. - 29 Touro St - Guests will learn about the Buliod-Perry house, the Perry family, and the history of the building and surrounding area. - 85 Touro St - Guests will learn about the Levi Gale house, a perfect example of architecture in the era, and how houses were moved in early Newport. - 100 Touro St - Guests will learn about the early Irish immigrants in Newport who built Fort Adams, established Rhode Island’s first Catholic church, and created a cemetery with enduring historical significance. - 12 Mt Vernon St - Visitors will learn about New York tailor-turned-real estate developer Alfred Smith, whose visionary land development transformed Newport from a hotel-based tourism culture to one of private summer residences, paving the way for the Gilded Age and skyrocketing land values. - 7 Mt Vernon St - Visitors will learn about the Queen Anne style of architecture popular from 1875-1910, exemplified by this house designed by local architect John Dixon Johnston, and how it represents the upward mobility of Irish families like the Rooneys in Newport. - 119 Touro St - Visitors will learn about Newport’s oldest active fire station, highlighting the city’s growth from a small town to a city requiring expanded municipal services funded by wealthy tourists, whose preferences often influenced city decisions. - The Touro Jewish Cemetery - Guests will stop at the Jewish Cemetery, and learn about the history of the Jews in Newport, from the 17th century to the 19th century. - Hotel Viking - Visitors will learn about the era of great hotels in Newport before the construction of Bellevue Avenue’s “cottages,” highlighted by the lavish Ocean House, which epitomized luxury and elegance, and attracted a privileged clientele, including notable artists and writers. - 20 Bellevue Ave - Visitors will learn about Dudley Newton, a prominent 19th-century Newport architect who designed over 100 buildings and was known for his daring architectural experimentation, including the invention of the “Newton Roof,” as well as his contributions to the city’s distinctive architectural landscape. - 29 Bellevue Ave - Visitors will learn about the transformation of a small Federal-style hotel into an exclusive men’s club by architect George Champlin Mason Sr., his significant contributions to Newport’s architecture and cultural scene, and the club’s historical anecdotes, including its role in the founding of the Newport Casino. - Newport Art Museum - Guests will stop outside the Newport Art Museum’s main building, the Griswold House, and learn about the first Newport commission of acclaimed Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt. - Redwood Library & Athenaeum - Guests will stop outside the Redwood Library and learn about the intellectual culture of the Golden Age of Newport’s history that was reinvigorated in the mid-19th century. - Touro Park - Guests will end their tour at Touro Park, and learn about the Old Stone Mill; Matthew C. Perry; and the Atlantic House Hotel, home to the U.S. Naval Academy during the American Civil War.

What's Included

Museum Admission
10% Discount on NHS Museum Shop Purchases
Bottled water

What's Not Included

Parking fees
Gratuities
Admission to Newport Art Museum ($15 per adult, $10 per senior, free for youth 17 and under)

Additional Information

Embark on an enchanting journey through Newport’s fascinating transformation from its colonial Golden Age to its opulent Gilded Age summer colony with our “Golden to Gilded Walking Tour.” Discover how the city evolved and its people thrived during these dynamic periods, long before the Vanderbilts’ arrival. Let our knowledgeable guides lead you through the rich history, stunning architecture, and captivating stories that define Newport’s legacy. This tour is a must for anyone interested in learning how Newport became a Gilded Age playground for the likes of the Vanderbilts and Astors.

Walking and standing for long periods of time. Not recommended for travelers with mobility/walking issues.

Location

Museum of Newport History & Shop

Thames Street

The Museum of Newport History and Shop is located inside the historic Brick market building, at the foot of Washington Square. Adjacent to Long Wharf Mall at 127 Thames Street. Go to the foot of Washington Square, the Brick Market is the brick building with arches.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0