Coasters Harbor Island facts for kids

This picture shows the Naval War College. The old Newport Asylum building is on the right. It now holds the Naval War College Museum. The bigger building on the left is Luce Hall.

Coasters Harbor Island is a 92-acre island located in Narragansett Bay, in Newport, Rhode Island. This island is a very important place for the United States Navy. It is home to the Naval War College (NWC). This college helps train Navy officers and develops new ideas for how the Navy can operate and defend itself.

History of Coasters Harbor Island

Coasters Harbor Island has a long and interesting past. Long ago, Native Americans lived on the island. They called it Woonachaset.

Early Ownership and Use

In 1654, colonists bought the island from the Native Americans. For many years, the island was used by the city of Newport. In 1822, a building called the Newport Asylum for the Poor was built there. This was a place for people who needed help and a home. It was also known as the Newport Poor House and Farm.

Becoming a Naval Training Center

The island continued to serve the community in this way for many decades. Then, in 1882, something big happened. The City and State decided to give the island to the United States Navy. The Navy wanted to use it for a special school called the Naval War College.

Today, Coasters Harbor Island is still a busy training center for the Navy. It also houses the Naval War College Museum. This museum shares the history of the Navy and the college with visitors.