The Jamestown Historical Society
Through the generous support of our donors and members, JHS keeps the story of Jamestown alive by creating exhibitions, preserving historic structures, and presenting programs and events that educate and inspire.
Become a Member
The Jamestown Historical Society provides many benefits and opportunities to members: first access to JHS outings, exclusive member-only social events, tours, openings, and the JHS newsletter.
Upcoming Events
The JHS Collection
The location of Jamestown on Conanicut Island and the surrounding islands has always been strategic for the coastal defenses of Narragansett Bay. Fort Dumpling was built in the late 19th century. During the world wars, Jamestown hosted Fort Greble, Fort Getty and Fort Wetherill.Â
Our collection of Jamestown postcards roughly span the years 1900 to present day. The importance of postcards cannot be under estimated as it gives us a wealth of knowledge about how our neighborhoods and town looked and may be in some cases, our only record.
Home movies preserve for us cinematic events that are poignant reminders of past family activities, vacations or special events. Originally home movies usually limited the movie maker to about three minutes per roll, so often one roll would consist of short vignettes with unrelated subject matter.Â
Getting to Conanicut Island is important to Jamestown. Ferryboats were in service for over 300 years. The first bridge to connect Jamestown was built across the West Passage in 1940. The Newport-Pell bridge across the East Passage in 1969. A large part of the collection is the history of the ferryboats and effects of the bridges.
The National Register of Historic Places is the federal government’s official list of properties that are significant in American history and worthy of preservation. Sites in Jamestown including the Jamestown Windmill and the Beavertail Light are listed on the National Register.
Search across the entire Jamestown Historical Society archive by keyword or phrase, searching across multiple fields for any cataloged item.
Explore Our Interactive Map
Plan your trip to Jamestown’s historic sites and learn its history through its artifacts.
Featured Exhibits
Historic Sites
Built in 1787 and in operation until 1896, the old Jamestown windmill stands high on Windmill Hill in the center of the island. It is a three-story octagonal structure with a domed cap or bonnet. The bonnet holds the sails and can turn to capture the wind from any direction.
Since the restoration of the park in 2002, the Jamestown Historical Society has worked with the town to maintain the historic elements within the Conanicut Battery Historic Park. Ever other year, the society sponsors Battery Day to celebrate the history of the park.
The Jamestown Historical Society’s museum building at 92 Narragansett Avenue was originally built in 1885 as a one-room primary school. In 1971 when the current library was built, the Jamestown Historical Society leased the old library for use as a museum.
The Conanicut Friends Meeting was established by the Newport Quaker Monthly Meeting in 1684. The current meetinghouse is a simple rectangular building, built at the same time as the windmill in 1787 and shingled in a manner similar to the larger structure.
Each exhibit in the Jamestown Historical Society display case in the lobby of the Jamestown Philomenian Library tells the story of some aspect of Jamestown’s history using documents and artifacts from the society’s collection. The exhibit is changed every six to eight weeks.
Become a JHS Member
Help preserve & share the history of Jamestown, RI. Maintain the Museum, the Windmill, the Meetinghouse and the Conanicut Battery. Preserve the Society’s collection of documents, photographs and artifacts.
