Rhode Island Museums and Culture

Owned and operated by The Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society, 1668 Paine House is a Colonial home, inn & museum restored and furnished in the period-style.

Explore one of America's oldest lighthouses perched on Jamestown's scenic southern tip, where panoramic bay views meet fascinating maritime history and artifacts spanning centuries of New England coastal heritage.

Honor the legacy of the Navy's legendary builders at this memorial park dedicated to the Seabees' remarkable history and contributions. Explore exhibits and tributes celebrating the "Original Home of the Seabees" right here in Rhode Island.

Step back in time at this volunteer-run museum celebrating wireless communication and steam technology. Group visits and private tours are available by appointment—call (401) 885-0545 or email [email protected] to arrange your visit.

Welcome to the National Museum of American Illustration, where artworks from the ‘Golden Age of American Illustration’ and from other eras are presented in the ‘Gilded Age’ architectural frame of Vernon Court (1898). Visitors can appreciate the American Imagist Collection as a medley of beautiful pictures, but also as a historical overview of a unique culture.

Coggeshall Farm Museum is a living history farm set on 48 acres in Bristol, Rhode Island. The museum depicts Bristol's agrarian life in the year 1799 through live interpretation, historic structures, and heirloom plants and animals.

Located on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Slater Mill is a museum complex dedicated to bringing one of the most exciting and significant periods of American history to life. Visitors to the site experience a time when an America of small farmers and craftsmen were poised to turn the country into the industrial leader of the world.

The mission of The Whitehall Committee of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is to preserve, protect, interpret and keep as a perpetual memorial, Whitehall, the home of Bishop George Berkeley from 1729-1731.

Step inside this 1913 brick fortress to explore Rhode Island's military heritage through artifacts and exhibits. A National Register landmark, the Varnum Memorial Armory showcases the state's defense history in a striking Medieval-inspired building.

Explore Newport's rich maritime heritage and colonial past through carefully curated collections of manuscripts, portraits, and decorative arts at this venerable institution founded in 1854. Their extensive genealogical records and period artifacts offer fascinating glimpses into generations of local history.

Dating back several centuries, Smith's Castle remains today a Rhode Island and American treasure.

The mission of the Quonset Air Museum (QAM) is to preserve, interpret and prsent Rhode Island's aviation through thorugh collections, research, education and exhibits.

Step inside an architectural masterpiece: the Griswold House, a stunning 1862 mansion designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt. Explore beautifully restored galleries, enjoy interactive art classes, and wander through the sculpture garden—the perfect summer destination for art lovers of all ages.

Take a step back in time. Visit the authentically restored and furnished 1750 home of the Stuart family and learn about the life of one of America's best-known portraitists, Gilbert Stuart. The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum is situated on 23 acres in the woods of Saunderstown, Rhode Island on a beautiful millpond and stream.

The mission of Providence Children's Museum is to inspire and celebrate learning through active play and exploration. <br> The Museum welcomes children and adults of all backgrounds and from all communities. Its focus is on serving southern New England children, ages 1 to 11, and the adults who care for them.

The Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University is the premier museum devoted to the preservation of the history of the culinary and hospitality industries.

Step back into Rhode Island's past at this landmark institution, home to the elegant John Brown House, historic archives, and the Museum of Work and Culture celebrating the state's industrial heritage and immigrant communities.