King’s Cup Trophy by Tiffany & Co., 1908

Newport Historical Society, 83.3.1AB

In 1907, ‘Captain Nat’ (Nathanael Greene) Herreshoff designed the sloop Avenger for Robert Emmons 2nd of the New York Yacht Club; the Avenger was one of Herreshoff’s most successful boats, winning the Astor, Queen’s and King’s Cup races for her owner.

Seal, 1696, From the City of Newport “Seal of Newport Rhoade Island Covncel”

Newport Historical Society, L65.3.1

Before Newport was a thriving port and vacation destination, the city was a refuge for religious dissidents from Massachusetts Bay. The sheep depicted on this early seal attributed to Arnold Collins, reflects the importance of agriculture to the early settlers.

Weaver’s Book, 1815, Arkwright Company Records

Rhode Island Historical Society, MSS 264

The first mills in Rhode Island produced thread, not cloth. This was woven by hand, often on looms in homes or on farms. The swatches—typical of the patterns found in clothing and household linens throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries—are accompanied by instructions for weavers that represent the moment just before the industrialization of cloth production in New England.

Torpedo earrings and ID badge ca. 1945

Newport Historical Society, 97.23.2; 2003.15.2

Important Rhode Island industries—defense and jewelry manufacturing—are represented by these miniature torpedoes from the 1940s.

A proclamation: Whereas on Tuesday, the ninth instant in the night, a number of people, unknown, boarded His Majesty's armed schooner the Gaspee…

Printed by Solomon Southwick, Newport RI, June 12, 1772

Rhode Island Historical Society, G1157 1772 No. 3

Antedating the Boston Tea Party by eighteen months, the Gaspee incident of June 9, 1772 saw nearly 60 Providence men—including respected citizens like Abraham Whipple and John Brown—conducting a midnight raid that burned the British schooner that had plied Narragansett Bay enforcing customs regulations to the irritation of Rhode Island’s mercantile elite.

Thomas Howland

Oil on canvas by John Blanchard ca. 1855

Rhode Island Historical Society, 1895.6.1

Although Thomas Howland held elected office in Providence, when he applied for a passport in 1857, the U.S. State Department refused to issue him one, stating that “persons of African extraction … are not deemed citizens of the United States.” Howland and his family emigrated to Liberia later that same year.

Compass-Sundial

Brass, paper and ink, ca. 1650

Rhode Island Historical Society, 1902.3.1

A London native, Roger Williams must have found this compass invaluable when navigating the woods and waterways of his new home in New England.

Half-hull model, steam launch designed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff

Herreshoff Manufacturing Company ca. 1880

Rhode Island Historical Society, 1981.49.4

In addition to racing yachts, the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company built steam engines and steam launches, including the first torpedo boats for the United States Navy.

Queen Anne-style side chair attributed to Job Townsend, Sr. of Newport.

Walnut with a maple slip seat.

Newport Historical Society, W 1960.1.1

From the elegant curve of the crest rail to the rounded feet, this side chair is an iconic example of 18th-century Newport craftsmanship.