Washington Square (Newport, Rhode Island) facts for kids
Washington Square is a very important historical place in Newport, Rhode Island. It's like the heart of the city! Even though it's called a "square," it's actually shaped more like a trapezoid. This area is where many main streets meet, and it used to be connected to the old long wharf that went into the harbor.
Washington Square has been a public space since Newport was first settled in 1639. However, much of how it looks today, and even its name, comes from the 1800s. Many of its most famous buildings were built in the early 1900s. This special place grew and changed over many years, rather than being planned all at once.
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Early Days of Washington Square
The first English settlers arrived in Newport in 1639. Important people like William Coddington, John Clarke, and Henry Bull were among them. They built their homes close to a fresh water spring and near the shoreline. The spring still flows underground today. Sadly, all of their original houses are gone. Henry Bull's house, the last one, was destroyed by fire in 1912.
How the Streets Were Planned
What we still have from the 1600s are the names of nearby streets. You can find streets named Coddington, Bull, Clarke, and Dyer. The way the streets are laid out also comes from this early time. Some streets lead up the residential hill and toward the harbor, like Thames Street and Spring Street. Broadway goes further into the island. Farewell Street leads out of town toward the Common Burying Ground, which was started in the 1660s.
These streets don't all meet exactly at the square. Instead, they enter this open space at different points. This area is surrounded by both homes and important public buildings. By the 1800s, this spot was known as "The Parade." It became a more defined park-like area. It had fences, trees, a fountain, and a statue of a Newport hero, Oliver Hazard Perry.
Important Buildings in the Square
Two of the most important buildings from colonial America are at opposite ends of Washington Square. One is Newport's Old Colony House, built in 1739 by Richard Munday. This was the impressive building where the colonial government met.
The other is the Brick Market, designed by Peter Harrison in 1772. This building showed how successful Newport was economically. So, the "square" held two big symbols: the government's power and the city's wealth.
Bringing the Square Back to Life
Since 1995, Washington Square has been made new and better. A group called The Washington Square Advisory Commission has worked on this project. They used an original design by an artist named Howard Newman. The commission completely rebuilt the Square. Their goal was to make it a gathering place for the people of Newport again. They also wanted to keep its historical, architectural, cultural, and business importance.
To do this, they changed how traffic flowed around the square. They also had a 19th-century horse trough fountain rebuilt and installed as a main feature. Newmans Ltd. recreated this bronze trough. They used old photos from the Newport Historical Society to make it look just right.
There are still plans to keep improving the square today. While other parts of Newport are famous for tourists, Washington Square has always been the true "home" of the city. One way you can see this is through the old Homecoming events. These events welcomed everyone from Newport, near and far, back to the city. A special arch was set up in the square, and many former residents gathered there to celebrate their hometown.
Images for kids
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Cannon of brig Tartar, Washington Square (c.1922); moved to the Newport Historical Society
