Newport Tower (Rhode Island) Archaeological Site
Mysterious stone tower with debated colonial origins
Newport's stone tower sits on a small common; historians and visitors debate its origins while touring nearby colonial houses and waterfront streets.
Newport Tower (Rhode Island) at a Glance#
Address: Touro Park (near the intersection of Touro and Washington Streets), Newport, RI
Admission: Free (located in a public park).
About Newport Tower (Rhode Island)#
The Newport Tower, also called the Old Stone Mill, is a freestanding circular stone tower in Newport, Rhode Island, notable for its unresolved origins and historic appearance. It is commonly interpreted as a 17th-century colonial-era windmill.
The tower’s cylindrical masonry, open arcade of arches at the base and isolated setting make it a compact architectural curiosity in Newport’s historic district. Its scale is modest compared with other landmarks in the city, so visits are typically short and photographic.
Most scholarly research attributes the tower to the mid-1600s and to early colonial settlers, with documentary links to property owned by Benedict Arnold, an early Rhode Island governor. It appears to have served as a windmill in the colonial period and has been the subject of alternative origin theories.
Located in a small public park in downtown Newport, the tower is within walking distance of other historic sites and the city’s waterfront.
- Viewing spot: Best viewed from the small parkland that surrounds the tower, where its full circular form and arcade arches are visible.
How to Get to Newport Tower (Rhode Island)#
A five- to ten-minute walk from Thames Street and Newport’s main waterfront. From downtown allow 10-15 minutes on foot; limited parking is available nearby. Local trolleys and seasonal shuttles serve the historic district.
Tips for Visiting Newport Tower (Rhode Island)#
- Go early morning for soft light and to avoid tour groups-the tower is often a quick stop on historic-walking circuits.
- Read the informational plaque that explains the long-running debate over origin-Viking theories make for good conversations but are not the consensus among historians.
- Combine this stop with a stroll through nearby colonial-era streets and the waterfront.
Best Time to Visit Newport Tower (Rhode Island)#
Summer sees the most visitors; shoulder seasons are quieter and offer better light for photos.
Weather & Climate near Newport Tower (Rhode Island)#
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1202 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - 3° | -7° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 4° | -6° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 7° | -1° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| June | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.0h |
| July | Excellent | 17° - 27° | 22° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.7h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 26° | 22° | 102 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 4° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 5.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 7° | -2° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
