Washington Square (Newport, Rhode Island)
Encyclopedia
Washington Square is the geographical and historical heart of Newport Rhode Island. More trapezoid than square, it exists at the intersection of several major streets and what was the colonial long wharf, projecting into the harbor off Aquidneck Island
and into Narragansett Bay
. Although as a civic space it is colonial in origin, dating back to the first settlement of 1639, much of its present shape, form and name dates from the 19th century while a number of its most prominent buildings are of early 20th century design. Like most great civic spaces, it developed over time rather than being imposed by design.
The first group of Anglo settlers – among them William Coddington
, John Clarke, Henry Bull
, and the Easton family each clustered their house lots of about 10 acres close to a fresh water spring and a short distance uphill from the shoreline. The spring still flows (although its course is now subterranean) but all the original houses are gone, the last, Henry Bull’s, being destroyed by fire in 1912.
What remains from the areas 17th century origins are adjacent street names (Coddington, Bull, Clarke, Dyer) and the street layout itself. Vectors lead along the residential hill and harbor (Thames Street, Spring Street), up island (Broadway) and northwest, out of town, toward the Common Burying Ground established by the 1660’s (the aptly named cortege route of Farewell Street). These don’t quite converge at the square but instead enter at various points onto an open space flanked by both residential and institutional buildings. By the nineteenth century, this spot came to be known as “The Parade” and became a more defined, park-like area with boundary fencing, trees, fountain and a bronze sculpture of one of Newport’s military heroes, Oliver Hazard Perry.
Two of colonial America’s most significant buildings are at either end of the square, Newport’s Colony House
, built by Richard Munday
(1739) and the Brick Market designed by Peter Harrison
(1772); as a public space, this “square” contained two important civic symbols: the impressively ornate seat of the colonial government and a fashionable Georgian symbol of Newport’s economic success.
There are plans and proposals to renovate and reinvigorate the square today but while other areas of Newport have become better known because of tourist marketing, Washington Square has long been the hometown “hearth” of the city. One testament to that status were the old Homecoming events, welcoming all native near and far back to Newport during which a triumphal arch was set up in the square and scores of former residents gathered to celebrate their hometown in that time honored place.
Aquidneck Island
Aquidneck Island, located in the state of Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay. The island's official name is Rhode Island, and the common use of name "Aquidneck Island" helps distinguish the island from the state. The total land area is 97.9 km²...
and into Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is a bay and estuary on the north side of Rhode Island Sound. Covering 147 mi2 , the Bay forms New England's largest estuary, which functions as an expansive natural harbor, and includes a small archipelago...
. Although as a civic space it is colonial in origin, dating back to the first settlement of 1639, much of its present shape, form and name dates from the 19th century while a number of its most prominent buildings are of early 20th century design. Like most great civic spaces, it developed over time rather than being imposed by design.
The first group of Anglo settlers – among them William Coddington
William Coddington
William Coddington was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving as the Judge of Portsmouth, Judge of Newport, Governor of Portsmouth and Newport, Deputy Governor of the entire colony, and then Governor of the...
, John Clarke, Henry Bull
Henry Bull
Lieutenant Henry Bull was an early settler in the Swan River Colony.He entered the Royal Navy in December 1813, and served in the West Indies and South America. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1829, and the following year he arrived in Western Australia...
, and the Easton family each clustered their house lots of about 10 acres close to a fresh water spring and a short distance uphill from the shoreline. The spring still flows (although its course is now subterranean) but all the original houses are gone, the last, Henry Bull’s, being destroyed by fire in 1912.
What remains from the areas 17th century origins are adjacent street names (Coddington, Bull, Clarke, Dyer) and the street layout itself. Vectors lead along the residential hill and harbor (Thames Street, Spring Street), up island (Broadway) and northwest, out of town, toward the Common Burying Ground established by the 1660’s (the aptly named cortege route of Farewell Street). These don’t quite converge at the square but instead enter at various points onto an open space flanked by both residential and institutional buildings. By the nineteenth century, this spot came to be known as “The Parade” and became a more defined, park-like area with boundary fencing, trees, fountain and a bronze sculpture of one of Newport’s military heroes, Oliver Hazard Perry.
Two of colonial America’s most significant buildings are at either end of the square, Newport’s Colony House
Old Colony House
The Old Colony House, also known as Old State House or Newport Colony House, is located at the east end of Washington Square in the city of Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It is a brick Georgian-style building completed in 1741, and became the meeting place for the colonial legislature...
, built by Richard Munday
Richard Munday
Richard Munday was a prominent colonial American architect and builder in Newport, Rhode Island.Munday built several notable public buildings in Newport between 1720 and 1739 helping to modernize the city. Christopher Wren's church of St. James at Piccadilly in London, England and Old North...
(1739) and the Brick Market designed by Peter Harrison
Peter Harrison
Peter Harrison was a colonial American architect who was born in York, England and emigrated to Rhode Island in 1740. Peter Harrison and his brother, Joseph Harrison, came to the American colonies and established themselves as merchants and captains of their own "vessels." Peter Harrison returned...
(1772); as a public space, this “square” contained two important civic symbols: the impressively ornate seat of the colonial government and a fashionable Georgian symbol of Newport’s economic success.
There are plans and proposals to renovate and reinvigorate the square today but while other areas of Newport have become better known because of tourist marketing, Washington Square has long been the hometown “hearth” of the city. One testament to that status were the old Homecoming events, welcoming all native near and far back to Newport during which a triumphal arch was set up in the square and scores of former residents gathered to celebrate their hometown in that time honored place.