Block Island Historical SocietyAbout Block Island Historical Society
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.
Nearby Attractions to Block Island Historical Society
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 4° | -6° | 94 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 4° | -5° | 86 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 7° | -1° | 100 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 97 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 89 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 78 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 17° - 26° | 22° | 70 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 17° - 25° | 21° | 91 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 89 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 78 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 108 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 7° | -2° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
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.