Newport Show 2017

By John R. Tschirch Visiting Curator of Urban History Newport Historical Society Founded in 1639, Newport embodies the complex cultural, artistic and economic forces in the making of a city. The Colonial streets and wharves attest to the importance of the harbor in the layout of a thriving port. Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive reflect the taste for picturesque sea views highly prized in the Victorian era when Newport became a fashionable resort. During the mid-20 th century, urban redevelopment wrought major changes along the historic waterfront. Each of these districts is a window on to an age, and today the city reads like a colorfully illustrated book on the history of urban planning in the United States. The sea, the land and the principle of religious freedom formed Colonial Newport. Early settlement occurred at the natural spring and streams near present day Washington Square. In 1640, the Rhode Island General Assembly ordered the founders to , “lay out the streets and lands[… ] keep all sea banks for fishing for the town of Newport.” No specific religious structure dominated the cityscape. Instead, wharves featured prominently with Thames Street as Above: Detail of Ocean Drive. Photograph, c.1890. Courtesy of the Newport Historical Society. Ocean Drive, completed in 1868, became a place for sightseeing and social life. One of the earliest scenic drives in the nation, the planners capitalized on the natural forms of the local topography to create a picturesque drive among the hills, valleys and coastal promontories. By John . sc ir Visiting urator of rban istory Newport Historical ociety Founded in 1639, Newport e bodies the co plex cultural, artistic and economic forces in the making of a city. The Colonial streets and wharves attest to the importance of the harbor in the layout of a thriving port. Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive reflect the taste for picturesque sea views highly prized in the Victorian era when Newport became a fashionable resort. During the mid-20 th century, urban redevelopment wrought major changes along the historic waterfront. Each of these districts is a window on to an age, and today the city reads like a colorfully illustrated book on the history of urban planning in the United States. The sea, the land and the principle of religious freedom formed Colonial Newport. Early settlement occurred at the natural spring and streams near present day Washington Square. In 1640, the Rhode Island General Assembly ordered the founders to , “lay out the streets and lands[… ] keep all sea banks for fishing for the town of Newport.” No specific religious structure dominated the cityscape. Instead, wharves featured prominently with Thames Street as Ab v : Detail of Ocean Drive. Photograph, c.1890. Courtesy of t e Newport Historical Society. Oc n Drive, complet d in 1868, became place for sightseei g and social life. One of the earliest scenic d ives in the nation, the pl nners capitalized on the natural forms of the local topography to create a picturesque drive among the hills, valleys and coastal promontories. 10