7 Rhode Island Towns Where Time Stands Still

For being the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island is big on history with a long and storied past. Founded by Quaker Roger Williams in the 17th century, the state has drawn in religious dissidents, immigrants, and the wealthy looking for summer getaways. In towns like Narragansett, Newport, and Bristol, one can discover historic towns in which the past feels very much alive. With Native American villages, former headquarters for Revolutionary War Generals, some of the largest mansions in the country, and farms dating back to the 1600s, read on to learn more about these Rhode Island towns where time stands still.

Bristol

Bristol represents some of the best and worst elements of American history. While it served as the headquarters for Revolutionary War heroes like the Marquis de Lafayette, it was also a center for the slave trade, as one of its earliest settlers, the DeWolf family, brought in more than 10,000 enslaved people from West Africa to sell in other parts of the US and in Cuba.

In modern Bristol, you can see the Marquis' headquarters at the 1700 Joseph Reynolds House, the oldest known three-storey structure in Rhode Island. You can also visit Linden Place, the Federalist mansion built by pro-slavery General George DeWolf. Today, the 1810 mansion is a museum that catalogs the dark history of the slave trade. For other perspectives on the region's past, check out the Herreshoff Marine Museum to learn about the naval history of Bristol, or go for a stroll on the trails through the 464-acre Colt State Park on the shores of the Narragansett Bay.

Narragansett

The town is named after the people who befriended Roger Williams when he first came to Rhode Island in 1636. The area around Narragansett was purchased by land speculators and settled in the years to come, making it one of the oldest towns in Rhode Island. There are many timeless places to see in Narragansett, such as its most notable feature, The Towers. This stone port-cochere at the pier was once the Narragansett Pier Casino. Today, it is an intriguing landmark that can be seen from any number of the town's many beaches, from the 26-acre Scarborough State Beach, one of the most popular in the state, to the pocket-sized Salty Brine State Beach, which boasts calm water and gentle surf. While here, you can also see the historic Point Judith Light. The one currently standing was built in 1857, but a lighthouse has been standing at that site since 1810.

East Greenwich

Founded in 1677, East Greenwich is one of the oldest towns in Rhode Island. As a port town, it was both a major steamship stop and an immigration hub as Irish, Italians, Germans, and others settled here in a part of town that came to be called Scalloptown, until racial tensions ultimately led to the destruction of Scalloptown in 1926.

Despite this history, East Greenwich has many places that are still frozen in time, such as the 1691 Clemence-Irons House, a rare surviving example of a stone ender, where one wall is built of stone to form a chimney and fireplace, while the rest are made of wood. Also in town is the 250-year-old Varnum House Museum, home to a Revolutionary War General who hosted George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Next door to the museum is the Varnum Memorial Armory, which contains military artifacts going back to the American War of Independence.

South Kingstown

South Kingstown was a major battlefield during King Philip's War, when it was destroyed along with much of Rhode Island during the Great Swamp Fight in 1675. The area then became disputed between Connecticut and Rhode Island until it was finally granted to the state in 1723. Today, the town preserves all aspects of its history, both Native American and European, through places like the Peace Dale Museum of Art and Culture. This museum was founded in 1892 and maintains a vast collection of Native American art and artifacts, alongside other cultural items of significance throughout North America.

As for architecture, you'll want to see the Hale House, an Italianate home with red brick and an arched roof built for Edward Everett Hale, a Unitarian minister and abolitionist. After exploring these historic places, enjoy a day at East Matunuck State Beach or go walking through beautiful fields of azaleas and rhododendrons at the Kinney Azalea Gardens. Even in winter, the beach and gardens provide a serene and stunning retreat.

Charlestown

Charlestown was named after King Charles II of England. Much like its neighboring towns, Charlestown was home to the Narragansett people prior to colonization. However, unlike those places, Charlestown has preserved much of its Native American heritage. There is a small reservation that was used by the Narragansett from 1709 to 1880, called the Historic Village of the Narragansetts in Charlestown, which includes a church and several ruins.

A local park in Charlestown is named after a Narragansett chief. Ninigret Park is home to two trolls made of recycled materials by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, as well as a dedicated bike path and walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, a dog park, a pond, and courts and fields for various sports. Charlestown also has quite a lot of quirky places, like the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, a whimsical farmyard bazaar with unique shops, garden paths, and even live animals.

Little Compton

Following the devastating King Phillips War, English settlers came to the area that was formerly Sakonnet and renamed it Little Compton in 1682. It remained a quiet farming community until its lovely beaches drew in travellers in the 19th century, giving it a summer colony vibe that remains to this day. The town also preserves its older history through places like the 1690 Wilbor House, which showcases the evolution of architecture over time, with additions made to the home in 1740 and again in the 1800s.

You can also visit the historic 1815 Friends Meeting House and Cemetery, which served as a religious gathering place for the Quaker community. If you want to delve even further into the region's past, visit the Sakonnet Belongings at the Little Compton Historical Society, which features art and cultural displays honoring the Wampanoag people who lived here long before Europeans arrived. Lastly, see the natural spots that inspired vacationers at the Goosewing Beach Preserve, a vital refuge for shore birds and migratory species, or South Shore Beach.

Newport

Newport has been a place of refuge since its founding in 1639. Jews fleeing persecution from the Spanish Inquisition came in the mid-17th century and established Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the US. Due to its beautiful oceanside cliffs, the town also attracted moguls, who built some of the most luxurious Gilded Age mansions in America. The past comes alive in these palaces, such as The Breakers, a five-story 1895 "cottage" built in the Renaissance Revival Style for the Vanderbilts, or the 1852 Chateau-sur-Mer, a High Victorian villa that hosted some of the most opulent parties of the Gilded Age in its ballroom. After visiting these mansions, you can go for a walk along the coastline on the 3.5-mile Newport Cliff Walk and bask in the beauty of the million-dollar view.

These Towns Preserve All Aspects of American History

It can be tempting to only look at the good sides of history, such as the triumphs of America or the way settlers overcame hardships. However, it's essential to learn about all aspects of history, including its errors and failures. These Rhode Island towns preserve all aspects of American history, from the horrors of the slave trade to the victory in the American War of Independence and the value of offering sanctuary to persecuted religious and racialized groups. Time stands still in these towns, but they still have plenty of lessons to offer for those willing to listen and learn.