Old Colony House facts for kids
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Old Colony House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Front elevation in 2017
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington Sq., Newport, Rhode Island |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1736-1739 |
| Architect | Richard Munday |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | Newport Historic District (ID68000001) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000014 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 24, 1968 |
The Old Colony House, also called the Old State House or Newport Colony House, is a historic building in Newport, Rhode Island. It is located at the east end of Washington Square. This brick building was finished in 1741 and is built in the Georgian style. It was once the main meeting place for the government of the Rhode Island colony.
After the United States became independent in 1776, the state government used to meet here. They would switch between this building and the Rhode Island State House in Providence. This tradition continued until the early 1900s.
The Old Colony House has not changed much since it was built. It is one of the best-preserved public buildings from the colonial era in the United States. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. It is also part of the Newport Historic District, which is also a National Historic Landmark. The state of Rhode Island still owns the building. The Newport Historical Society now manages it as a museum.
Beyond its history in government and its beautiful design, the Old Colony House was central to many important events during the American Revolution in Rhode Island. Famous leaders like George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower have visited this building. It has been used as a place for soldiers to stay (a barracks), a hospital, and a courthouse. It was even used as a filming location for a Steven Spielberg movie!
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Exploring the Old Colony House
This building has two and a half floors. The front of the building faces down Washington Square. It has seven sections, called "bays." The main entrance has a door with a balcony right above it. At the top of the building, there is a triangular part called a gable. This gable has two round windows and a clock. On the roof, there is an eight-sided tower called a cupola. The building also has a raised basement.
A Look Back: History of the Colony House
Before the Old Colony House was built, a smaller wooden courthouse stood on this spot in 1687. Building the new Colony House was part of a plan to organize Newport's growth. By placing the colonial government building at the top of the "Parade" (what Washington Square was called then), leaders hoped to create a public space like those in English cities.
The famous architect Richard Munday designed the building. His design looked like buildings by Christopher Wren on the outside. But the inside was set up like English town halls. The first floor was an open space. It could be used as a market. Government offices were located upstairs.
Revolutionary Times in Rhode Island
Many important events leading up to the American Revolution happened at the Colony House. In 1761, people gathered here to hear the news that King George II had died. They also learned that his grandson, George III, was the new king.
Three years later, in 1764, the first meeting for what would become Brown University took place inside the building. In 1765, Newport citizens celebrated the end of the Stamp Act. This law had caused anger and riots.
Tensions between the colonies and Britain grew. In 1772, a British ship called the Gaspée was burned by colonists near Warwick. This happened because colonists were resisting British trade laws. A special group, the Royal Commission of Inquiry, met at Colony House in 1773 to investigate. They did not find enough evidence to charge anyone.
This event made colonists even more determined to oppose British rule. In 1774, the colony's government began preparing for war. They ordered weapons to be stored in Colony House. Two years later, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud from the front steps of the building.
Later that year, the British army took over Newport. During this time, the Old Colony House was used as a barracks for soldiers. When the French army joined the war and drove the British out, they used the building as a hospital. After the British surrendered at Yorktown in 1782, the French General Rochambeau held a special dinner here to honor George Washington. A portrait of Washington, painted by Rhode Island artist Gilbert Stuart, still hangs on the first floor.
The 1842 Rhode Island Constitution
In September 1842, leaders met at Colony House to write a new constitution for the state. This meeting happened after a period of unrest called the Dorr Rebellion. People debated who should be allowed to vote. Before 1842, only a small group of wealthy landowners could vote.
By November 1842, the new Constitution was presented to the state's voters. It passed with a vote of 7024 to 51. This new Constitution allowed African-Americans to vote, making Rhode Island the first state to do so. However, it also required a payment of $134 to vote, which stopped many new citizens from voting.
The 19th Century and Beyond
After the American Revolution, the state capital moved to Providence. But the state government continued to meet in Newport every other year. One special day in May was called 'Lection Day. On this day, the results of the state's April elections were announced. The winners were sworn into office right there. This was Newport's most important holiday for many years.
In 1900, Rhode Island's current capitol building in Providence was almost finished. The state government stopped meeting in Newport. The Old Colony House then became the Newport County courthouse.
It served as a courthouse until 1926. After that, the Newport Historical Society helped renovate the building. This work was completed in 1932.
In 1957, the Old Colony House welcomed its first sitting American president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. He gave a short speech from the steps. He praised the city's welcome and said his wife, Mamie, wished she could join him. She wanted to visit places where "heroes of the Revolutionary times spent so much of their time."
In 1960, President Eisenhower's administration named the building one of the first National Historic Landmarks. Six years later, it was listed on the first National Register of Historic Places.
Newport's well-preserved history also attracted filmmaker Steven Spielberg in 1997. He used the city as a setting for his movie Amistad. The outside of Colony House can be seen in some scenes. The courtroom scenes in the movie were even filmed inside the building!
Today, the Newport Historical Society manages the Old Colony House for the state. It is open as a museum for tours during the summer. You can also rent it for special events.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport County, Rhode Island
Gallery
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Old Colony House before 1917
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West Front
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Front Elevation in 1937
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First Floor
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Courtroom
