Block Island Historical Society
Museum Local museum preserving Block Island history
Local history museum on Block Island preserving maritime heritage and island life; visitors come for exhibits on lighthouses, shipwrecks and community archives, often paired with island walks.
Block Island Historical Society is a local museum and archival organization located in New Shoreham on Block Island, Rhode Island, dedicated to preserving the island’s cultural and maritime history. It serves as the principal repository for artifacts and documentary material about the island community.
The museum presents displays of artifacts, photographs, and documents that illustrate maritime life, island families, and local industries. Exhibits are typically small-scale and focused on community history and material culture rather than large national collections.
The society was established to collect, preserve, and interpret Block Island’s historic resources and material culture. Over time it has assembled archival holdings and rotating exhibits that reflect the island’s social and maritime past.
The facility is located in the town of New Shoreham on Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island and is reachable by ferry and private boat from the mainland. The island setting is the primary geographic context for the society’s collections and interpretation.
- Collections and research: Holds a local archive of photographs, maps, and documents relating to Block Island history that researchers and visitors can consult.
How to Get to Block Island Historical Society #
Block Island is reached by ferry from Point Judith (Narragansett) and New London; ferries land at Old Harbor, a short walk from the museum in Old Town. From the ferry terminal follow signs toward Old Town and the small historic district; the museum is on Old Town Road near the center.
Tips for Visiting Block Island Historical Society #
- Visit midweek or early morning in high season to avoid ferry crowds from Point Judith.
- Don't miss the maritime artifacts room-ask about provenance of any lighthouse lens.
- Bring a camera for the shore views behind the museum; the light at golden hour is exceptional.
- Check event listings: the society runs lectures and walking tours that provide local color lost to guidebooks.
Best Time to Visit Block Island Historical Society #
Best visited May-October during open season; summer offers daily hours and programming, shoulder seasons quieter.
Weather & Climate near Block Island Historical Society #
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1084 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (108 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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