Washington Square Roots Initiative

There are not many places where you can go to hear the Declaration of Independence read from the exact same spot as where it was read in 1776, but Newport, Rhode Island is one of them. This document, proclaiming independence from the British Isles (when the British Iles ruled a large part of the world), was a daring declaration and one that was far from certain to succeed. In Newport, it is read each year from the steps of the Colony House, originally built in 1739. Here is a short article on the building and the Reading: https://a4arch.com/old-colony-house/Thank you for liking, commenting and sharing this link, if you find it interesting or informative!

Newport Architecture Spotlight: Old Colony House | A4 Architecture + Planning, Inc. | Newport, RI Newport is a place of authentic architectural monuments and living history. The houses of the Point and Historic Hill, including the Old Colony House...

A4 Architecture Spotlight: The History and Urban Importance of Newport's Long Wharf | A4 Architecture + Planning, Inc. | Newport, RI Painting of Washington Square and Long Wharf – 1818   One of Newport, Rhode Island’s oldest and most important landmarks is not a building, but a road called “Long Wharf.” When Newport was first founded in 1639 it was settled based on two critical characteristics: a well-protected harbor ju...

Wherever you are it is easy to take your local treasures for granted. In Newport most locals had no idea how important so many of the local buildings are considered from an American Architectural History perspective. To help educate about, protect and celebrate the architecture of Newport County, I helped found the Newport Architecture Forum in 2007. Since then we have organized, sponsored and promoted many dozens of lectures, exhibitions, tours, panels and other events focused on Architecture, Planning, Landscape Design and the Decorative Arts. Now that COVID is waning we are started to organize more in person events again. Here is a short article on the history of the Newport Architectural Forum: https://a4arch.com/a4-guide-newport-architectural-forum/ (including pictures from our recent Real Tennis exhibition at the Newport Casino designed by McKim, Mead and White in 1880).
Thank you for Reading, Liking, Commenting and Sharing the post is you find it interesting and informative.

A4 Guide: Newport Architectural Forum | A4 Architecture + Planning, Inc. | Newport, RI Newport’s architecture is some of the oldest and grandest in the country. From the Colonial Era, to early Victorian, to the Gilded Age, leading up to present times, Newport’s small community has countless architectural marvels. There are more National Historic Landmarks here than the rest of the...

Each year, as part of Newport Rhode Island's celebration of Independence Day, there is a re-creation of the original reading of the Declaration of Independence from the exact same location that it was read to the people of Newport back in 1776: the Colony House. This building is now the oldest state house still existing in the country (although the official seat of the state legislature was moved to a newly built structure in 1901). The tradition of the Reading of the Declaration in Newport is rich with authenticity and patriotic spirit and draws more people to the "City-by-the-Sea" each year (especially when the weather is beautiful as it was this year). Here is a short article on this structure, which although built way back in 1739, still sits at the center of the city and its celebrations today: https://a4arch.com/old-colony-house/
Thank you for Reading, Liking, Commenting, and Sharing it, if you find it interesting and informative. And long may freedom reign!

Newport Architecture Spotlight: Old Colony House | A4 Architecture + Planning, Inc. | Newport, RI Newport is a place of authentic architectural monuments and living history. The houses of the Point and Historic Hill, including the Old Colony House...