First Congregational Church

Branford, CT  2017

Bus Stop

Branford, CT  2017

Branford Town Hall

Branford, CT  2017

Tappan Zee Sunset

Tarrytown, NY  2017

Newport Street Scene

Newport, RI  2017

I apologize for not posting anything for the last week.  I have been fighting a chest cold, and I'm still not quite over it.  That along with weekend commitments and some nasty weather have kept me from getting out to photograph.  Hopefully I'll get back to a regular schedule soon.  I'll leave you with this final scene from Newport.  

Red and White

Newport, RI  2017

Perry Monument

Newport, RI  2017

The city of Newport has had a longstanding  relationship with the US Navy,  which to this day still has a major presence in the city.  The "Hero of Lake Erie", Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, was born in nearby South Kingston, RI and lived in Newport for a brief period of time, not far from where this monument stands.  This monument was dedicated on the 72nd Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, during which Perry lead American forces to a decisive victory against the British that served as turning point of the War of 1812.  His success as a navel commander was short lived, however.  He was stricken with Yellow Fever while in South America and died in 1819 at the age of 34.  He is buried in Island Cemetery, Newport, RI.

Vernon House

Newport, RI  2017

You can hardly walk a block in Newport without passing a National Historic Landmark.  Fortunately there is a very active restoration foundation in Newport which overlooks many of these landmarks.  The Vernon House was built about 1758 and once served as headquarters for General Count De Rochambeau, commander of the French Allied Forces during the American Revolution.  George Washington is said to have stayed here in 1781 and perhaps discussed strategy with Rochambeau.

Trinity Church

Newport, RI  2017

Trinity Church is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1725-1726.  It is the place of worship for the oldest Episcopal parish in the state of Rhode Island having been founded in 1698.  I thought it would make an appropriate post for this Easter Sunday.  

The Hearth

Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI  2017

Spring St in Black and White

Newport, RI  2017

Spring St

Newport, RI  2016

There are some streets in the historic section of Newport that still use gas lamps for lighting.  

I.O.O.F

Newport, RI  2017

I think this building at one time belonged the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a non-political, non-sectarian fraternal organization which was founded in the United States in 1819.  I know all fraternal organizations have seen a decline in membership during the last 30-40 years, and I think this lodge suffered the same fate.  They did have a fine building for their lodge and perhaps still do.  The lower floors were occupied by retails stores. 

Gnarly Trees

Newport, RI  2017

This is such a distinctive tree with it's twisted limbs, it should be easy to identify, even without it's leaves.   I'm not sure what kind of tree it is.

Artillery Company

Newport, RI  2017

This armory is the home of the Artillery Company of Newport whose members have served in wars from the French and Indian Wars right up to the war in Iraq.  The company was chartered in 1741 by King George II and is the oldest military organization in the United States still operating under it's original charter.  Today the company serves primarily as the ceremonial unit of the Rhode Island Militia, Council of Historic Military Commands and provides canon salutes, color guards, and honor guards for state events.  I've read that anyone can join, and that no prior military experience is necessary.  

Keep the Quality Up

Newport, RI  2017

It looked so quaint, I had to do some shopping in the British Clothing Store pictured in yesterday's blog post.  In looking around I saw this sign hanging on the wall and was very surprised to see it all the way out here in Newport, RI.  The slogan was that of W.E. Upjohn, the founder of The Upjohn Co., a major pharmaceutical company and my first employer after I finished graduate school.  Dr. Upjohn had these signs made and displayed around the company he founded in Kalamazoo, MI,  long before I started to work.  I asked the store clerk about the sign, and although he knew of the sign being there, he knew nothing about it's history.  He did tell me that the store's owner once was in the fur business and would decorate his fur salons with advertising signs that he collected throughout the years, which is probably how he acquired it.  

British Clothing

Newport, RI  2017

Now a clothing store, the sign on the building listed this as the Abigail Cahoone House, ca. 1775.  You can see the plaque in the upper right of the photo designating this site as being on the National Registry of Historic  Places, one my many such places in Newport.  Even being as historic as this place is, I was even more surprised by what I found inside.  To be continued...... 

Army and Navy YMCA

Newport, RI  2017

To meet the needs of the hundreds of navy and army enlisted personnel, a YMCA was established in Newport in 1903.  This building was built in 1911 and had over a hundred rooms where military personnel could spend the night.  The YMCA moved to the Navy base in 1973 and this building was re-opened in 1980 to provide low income housing and to provide space for a number of social services.  

Newport Colony House

Newport, RI  2017

The history of Newport predates the American Revolution and there are many buildings that date from that time or earlier.  This building was built in 1739 and served as one of five state houses for the state of Rhode Island.  It is the fourth oldest surviving state house in the country. 

Judicial Complex

Florence K Murray Judicial Complex

Newport, RI  2017

This is the Newport County Courthouse named in honor of the first female supreme court justice in Rhode Island,  Florence K Murray, who was born in Newport and served as a judge in Rhode Island for 40 years. 

Newport Shopping

Newport, RI  2017