List of museums in Rhode Island facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list of museums in Rhode Island shows places where you can explore cool collections! Museums are like special homes for objects that teach us about art, science, history, and different cultures. They can be run by groups, the government, or even private businesses.

We're only including museums you can visit in person. Places that only exist online aren't here. Museums that have closed down are listed in a separate section.

To sort this table, click the little arrows at the top of each column. Click again to sort in reverse order.

Awesome Museums You Can Visit Now
Museums That Are No Longer Open
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Awesome Museums You Can Visit Now

Image	Name	Town/City	County	Type	What You Can See There
Annmary Brown Memorial	Annmary Brown Memorial	Providence	Providence	Art	Part of Brown University, this museum has European and American paintings from the 1600s to the 1900s, plus a collection of swords!
Artillery Company of Newport	Artillery Company of Newport	Newport	Newport	Military	See old uniforms, weapons, and other cool items from military history.
Audrain Automobile Museum	Audrain Automobile Museum	Newport	Newport	Automobile	Learn about the history of cars and see many amazing vehicles.
	Barrington Preservation Society	Barrington	Bristol	Local History	Discover items from local homes, the brick industry, and fishing history.
Beavertail Lighthouse Museum	Beavertail Lighthouse Museum	Jamestown	Newport	Lighthouse	Located inside the assistant keeper's house, it has models of many Rhode Island lighthouses.
Belcourt Castle	Belcourt Castle	Newport	Newport	Historic House	An old summer home from the 1890s. It's filled with furniture, art, and treasures from 33 countries!
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum	Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum	Bristol	Bristol	Historic House	Explore a huge 45-room English-style mansion and its beautiful 32-acre gardens.
Block Island Historical Society Museum	Block Island Historical Society Museum	Block Island	Block Island	Local History	See household items and tools used for farming and sea travel on Block Island.
Block Island Southeast Light	Block Island Southeast Light	Block Island	Block Island	Lighthouse	This historic lighthouse is open for visitors during the summer.
Boyd's Wind Grist Mill	Boyd's Wind Grist Mill	Middletown	Newport	Mill	An early 1800s windmill. You can visit it on Sunday afternoons in July, August, and September.
The Breakers	The Breakers	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A grand mansion from the 1890s, once owned by the famous Vanderbilt family.
Bristol Historical and Preservation Society Museum and Library	Bristol Historical and Preservation Society Museum and Library	Bristol	Bristol	Prison History	This museum is in a 19th-century jail and the jailer's house.
	Bristol Train of Artillery Museum	Bristol	Bristol	Military	This museum is open by appointment only.
	Cape Verdean Museum Exhibit	East Providence	Providence	Ethnic History	Learn about the history and culture of Cape Verde and Cape Verdean Americans.
Chateau-sur-Mer	Chateau-sur-Mer	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A beautiful mansion from the "Gilded Age" (late 1800s).
Chepstow	Chepstow	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A 19th-century mansion with period furnishings.
Clemence-Irons House	Clemence-Irons House	Johnston	Providence	Historic House	This house from the late 1600s is managed by Historic New England.
Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum	Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum	Warwick	Kent	Historic House	A Victorian-style house from the late 1800s.
Coggeshall Farm Museum	Coggeshall Farm Museum	Bristol	Bristol	Living History	Experience what farm life was like in the late 1700s with actors showing how people lived.
	Culinary Arts Museum	Providence	Providence	Food	Part of Johnson & Wales University, this museum explores the history of food, cooking, and different cuisines.
David Winton Bell Gallery	David Winton Bell Gallery	Providence	Providence	Art	This art gallery is part of the List Art Center at Brown University.
Eleazer Arnold House	Eleazer Arnold House	Lincoln	Providence	Historic House	Managed by Historic New England, this house dates back to the 1600s.
The Elms	The Elms	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A grand mansion built in the early 1900s.
	Firemen's Museum	Warren	Bristol	Firefighters	This museum is open by appointment only.
Fort Adams	Fort Adams	Newport	Newport	Fort	Take tours of this historic fort located in Fort Adams State Park.
General Nathanael Greene Homestead	General Nathanael Greene Homestead	Coventry	Kent	Historic House	The 18th-century home of Nathanael Greene, a general from the Revolutionary War. It's also called Spell Hall.
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace	Gilbert Stuart Birthplace	Saunderstown	Washington	Historic House	An 18th-century Colonial house and museum about the famous portrait painter Gilbert Stuart.
Governor Henry Lippitt House	Governor Henry Lippitt House	Providence	Providence	Historic House	A beautiful 20-room Victorian home from the 1800s.
Governor Sprague Mansion	Governor Sprague Mansion	Cranston	Providence	Historic House	This mid-19th-century mansion is run by the Cranston Historical Society.
Governor Stephen Hopkins House	Governor Stephen Hopkins House	Providence	Providence	Historic House	The 18th-century home of Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Great Friends Meeting House	Great Friends Meeting House	Newport	Newport	Religious History	A historic Quaker meeting house, managed by the Newport Historical Society.
Green Animals Topiary Garden	Green Animals Topiary Garden	Portsmouth	Newport	Historic House & Garden	See over 80 amazing animal shapes made from plants! There's also an 1859 Victorian house with old toys.
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology	Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology	Providence	Providence	Anthropology	This museum is part of Brown University and studies human cultures.
Hearthside	Hearthside	Lincoln	Providence	Historic House	An early 19th-century stone mansion.
	Hera Gallery	Wakefield	Washington	Art	Features modern and contemporary art.
Herreshoff Marine Museum	Herreshoff Marine Museum	Bristol	Bristol	Maritime	Learn about boats and sailing, including the famous America's Cup Hall of Fame.
Hunter House	Hunter House	Newport	Newport	Historic House	An 18th-century house with period furnishings.
International Tennis Hall of Fame	International Tennis Hall of Fame	Newport	Newport	Sports	Located at the Newport Casino, this museum celebrates tennis history.
Isaac Bell House	Isaac Bell House	Newport	Newport	Historic House	An 1880s house built in the unique Shingle-Style.
	Jamestown Arts Center	Jamestown	Newport	Art	An art museum that also hosts film festivals and offers art classes.
	Jamestown Fire Museum	Jamestown	Newport	Firefighting	Run by the Jamestown Fire Department, it's next to the main fire station.
	Jamestown Museum	Jamestown	Newport	Local History	Operated by the Jamestown Historical Society, open during certain seasons.
John Brown House	John Brown House	Providence	Providence	Historic House	An 18th-century mansion managed by the Rhode Island Historical Society.
	John Hunt House	East Providence	Providence	Historic House	An 18th-century house and museum run by the East Providence Historical Society.
John Waterman Arnold House	John Waterman Arnold House	Warwick	Kent	Historic House	A late 18th-century house, home to the Warwick Historical Society.
Joy Homestead	Joy Homestead	Cranston	Providence	Historic House	An 18th-century Colonial house, managed by the Cranston Historical Society.
Kingscote	Kingscote	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A 19th-century house built in the Gothic Revival style.
Linden Place	Linden Place	Bristol	Bristol	Historic House	A 19th-century estate with beautiful gardens.
Marble House	Marble House	Newport	Newport	Historic House	Another grand "Gilded Age" mansion, once owned by the Vanderbilt family.
Mount Hope Farm	Mount Hope Farm	Bristol	Bristol	Historic House	An 18th-century mansion and farm with historic grounds.
	Musée Patamécanique	Bristol	Bristol	Patamechanics	A private museum with unique and unusual inventions and art.
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium	Museum of Natural History and Planetarium	Providence	Providence	Natural History	Located in Roger Williams Park, it has exhibits on nature and a planetarium.
Museum of Newport History	Museum of Newport History	Newport	Newport	Local History	Learn about the history of Newport, managed by the Newport Historical Society.
	Museum of Primitive Art and Culture	South Kingstown	Washington	Archaeology / Anthropology	See ancient objects and cultural items from around the world, including Native American artifacts.
Museum of Work and Culture	Museum of Work and Culture	Woonsocket	Providence	Industry	Explores the history of the textile industry, managed by the Rhode Island Historical Society.
	Museum of Yachting	Newport	Newport	Maritime	Features art, photos, and history about yachting, sailing, and boat building.
National Museum of American Illustration	National Museum of American Illustration	Newport	Newport	Art	Displays American illustration art, located in Vernon Court, another "Gilded Age" mansion.
Naval War College Museum	Newport	Newport	Military	Learn about the history of the Naval War College and naval warfare.
	Nelson W. Aldrich House	Providence	Providence	Local History	The home of the Rhode Island Historical Society, with changing exhibits on Rhode Island's past.
New England Wireless and Steam Museum	New England Wireless and Steam Museum	East Greenwich	Kent	Technology	See old radio equipment, steam engines, and other cool technical inventions.
	Newport Art Museum	Newport	Newport	Art	Features art from Rhode Island and New England artists, plus rooms from the mid-1800s in the John N. A. Griswold House.
	Newport Car Museum	Portsmouth	Newport	Automobile	Over 75 cars from the 1950s to today, displayed in six different galleries.
Newport Colony House	Newport Colony House	Newport	Newport	History	This was once a meeting place for the Colonial government. It's managed by the Newport Historical Society.
Norman Bird Sanctuary	Norman Bird Sanctuary	Middletown	Newport	Natural History	A 300-acre wildlife refuge with a small museum along its trails.
Paine House Museum	Paine House Museum	Coventry	Kent	Historic House	A house from the Colonial period.
	Paradise School	Portsmouth	Newport	School History	A historic one-room schoolhouse.
Pettaquamscutt Historical Society Museum	Pettaquamscutt Historical Society Museum	Kingston	Washington	Local History	Located in an old jail building.
Portsmouth Historical Society	Portsmouth Historical Society	Portsmouth	Newport	Local History	Most of its collection is in the old Portsmouth Christian Union Church. It also has a Julia Ward Howe Room.
Prescott Farm	Prescott Farm	Middletown	Newport	Mill & History	Features a windmill, a Revolutionary War guard house, and historic gardens.
	Providence Children's Museum	Providence	Providence	Children's	A fun museum designed just for kids!
	Quonset Air Museum	North Kingstown	Washington	Aviation	Shows the state's aviation history, with military vehicles, missiles, and aircraft.
Redwood Library and Athenaeum	Redwood Library and Athenaeum	Newport	Newport	Art & Library	A library with changing art and history exhibits from its collections, plus sculptures and gardens.
Rhode Island Computer Museum	Rhode Island Computer Museum	North Kingstown	Washington	Technology	A huge collection of old computers, many of which still work! They offer interactive demonstrations and STEM/STEAM classes.
	Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA)	Providence	Providence	Science / Art	Offers hands-on exhibits and creative resources for all ages. RIMOSA recently joined with the Rhode Island Computer Museum.
Rhode Island School of Design Museum	Rhode Island School of Design Museum	Providence	Providence	Art	Has art from Egypt, Asia, Africa, ancient Greece and Rome, Europe, and the Americas, plus old clothes and textiles.
	Rhode Island Radio Museum	North Providence	Providence	Historic Technology	A private collection of old radio and wireless equipment made in Rhode Island during the 1920s.
Rhode Island Railroad Museum	Rhode Island Railroad Museum	Kingston	Washington	Railroad	Located in the southern part of the Kingston Railroad Station.
Roger Williams National Memorial	Roger Williams National Memorial	Providence	Providence	Biographical	Learn about the life of Roger Williams, who helped start Rhode Island and believed in religious freedom.
Rosecliff	Rosecliff	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A "Gilded Age" mansion inspired by a famous French palace.
Rough Point	Rough Point	Newport	Newport	Historic House	The estate of Doris Duke, featuring a large art collection.
Samuel Whitehorne House	Samuel Whitehorne House	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A 19th-century brick townhouse with furniture from late 18th-century Newport and Rhode Island.
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park	Seabee Museum and Memorial Park	Davisville	Washington	Military	Includes a former U.S. Navy chapel, old Quonset huts, and a Seabee statue.
Slater Mill	Slater Mill	Pawtucket	Providence	Industry	Learn about the history of the textile mill industry.
Smith-Appleby House	Smith-Appleby House	Smithfield	Providence	Historic House	An 18th-century house with period furnishings.
Smith's Castle	Smith's Castle	Wickford	Washington	Historic House	A house from the late 1600s.
South County Museum	South County Museum	Narragansett	Washington	Living History	Features farm exhibits, a Victorian kitchen, a general store, a print shop, and more!
	Sydney L. Wright Museum	Jamestown	Newport	Archaeological	See ancient and Colonial-era Narragansett Indian artifacts, European items from the 1600s, photos, and maps.
Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum	Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum	Exeter	Washington	Native American	A museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Narragansett tribe.
Touro Synagogue	Newport	Newport	Historic Site	A historic synagogue from the Colonial era.
Varnum House Museum	Varnum House Museum	East Greenwich	Kent	Historic House	A 1773 house built by James Mitchell Varnum, filled with old furniture and artifacts.
	Varnum Memorial Armory Military Museum	East Greenwich	Kent	Military	website This museum has weapons, uniforms, and artifacts from Colonial America through the 1900s.
Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House	Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House	Newport	Newport	Historic House	A house from the Colonial era, managed by the Newport Historical Society.
	Warwick Museum of Art	Warwick	Kent	Art	Features changing exhibits of fine and decorative art.
Watson Farm	Watson Farm	Jamestown	Newport	Historic Farm	The 1796 house isn't open, but you can explore the farmland.
Westerly Armory Museum	Westerly Armory Museum	Westerly	Washington	Military	Displays local military items.
Whitehall Museum House	Whitehall Museum House	Middletown	Newport	Historic House	An 18th-century house with period furnishings.
Wilbor House, Barn and Quaker Meeting House	Wilbor House, Barn and Quaker Meeting House	Little Compton	Newport	Historic House	Managed by the Little Compton Historical Society, it includes a late 1600s house and an early 1800s meeting house.