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Newport Public Library

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Library History

Throughout its 150 year history, the Library has seen many changes and has strove to bring information and the joy of reading to its patrons. The People’s Library of Newport was formed in 1869 when local philanthropist and renowned cabinet maker Christopher Townsend purchased a collection of 7,000 volumes for the Newport Library and Reading Room, founded by Sophia Little in 1867. The combination of these two collections would be housed in the Rhode Island Union Bank building on Thames Street, and in other locations on this street thereafter as the collection continued to grow. Townsend supported the People’s Library until his death in 1881, in which he bequeathed $100,000 to the library for maintenance and salaries.

The People’s Library would remain in this building until 1914, when it would relocate to the Edward King House to support its growing collection. It would reside there for several decades thereafter until it was determined in 1962 that a new building would be required for the People’s Library to be eligible for state aid.

In the midst of the debate over the site of the new building, the People’s Library was renamed to the Newport Public Library in 1967 and the Friends of the Library was formed at this time by local Newportonians. It was ultimately decided that the Library would be relocated from the Edward King House to the west side of Aquidneck Park. In October of 1968, the new building was completed, and continues to serve as the home for the Library today.

With an ever-changing collection over the next several decades, the Library would see a renovation and annexation in 2001. Today, patrons of the Newport Public Library enjoy a modern and progressive facility for all of their informational needs.

Click here for a detailed History of the Newport Public Library.

Artworks Around the Library

Portraits

George Gordon King (1859-1922), by James Guthrie (1906)
Henry C. Wilkinson, Mayor of Newport from 1957-1959
Natalie Savage Carlson, Childrens Author
Rr. Adm. Daniel Carlson, Member of the Board of Trustees

Paintings

Pip’s Dream by Al Ring
Old Colony House by Elizabeth B. Harvey
Springtime – Newport Harbor by Richard Grosvenor, 1976
Storm Surf by Richard Grosvenor

Sculptures and Models

Model Ship
Model Ship by John E. McPhee
In Silent Witness by William Paul Haas

Chinese Artifact Collection

These Chinese artifacts were donated by Clyde B. Sargent.

Masks
Container
Container cover
Box
Urn
Puppet
Puppet
Puppet
Figure
Figure
Figure
Ship
Folding Wall
Fan
Fan Case
Fan Case
Statue
Statue
Statue
Statue
Case
Mahjong

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"Libraries are no longer simply a holding area for books, they are community hubs. People gather at the library to share ideas and enrich their lives..."

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Contact Information

Newport Public Library
300 Spring St.
Newport, RI 02840

401-847-8720
401-842-0841 (fax)

Text/SMS: 66746
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info@newportlibraryri.org

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