When the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation (RILF) purchased
Rose Island in 1999, it became the steward of a unique combination of
historic and environmental components, which the Foundation manages in
accordance with a conservation easement held jointly by the RI Department
of Environmental Management and the State Historic Preservation Office.
Besides the lighthouse, the most significant historic components include
a 200-year-old fort named after Alexander Hamilton, and World War I and
II Naval Torpedo Station magazines for explosives.
Before it could begin any restoration or demolition work, the Foundation
needed to create a benchmark survey of all the historic military structures.
Funded by the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust, a Historic American
Engineering Record (HAER) survey was conducted by Architect Todd A. Croteau,
HAER Maritime Program Coordinator. The survey began in 2000 and was recently
filed in the Library of Congress in Washington DC. It will soon be available
to the public on line. Included are measured and interpretive drawings,
large-format black and white photographs (many of which are aerial photos)
by HAER Photographer Jet Lowe, and written historical information.
Future plans: Ironically, some of the oldest structures of Fort Hamilton,
such as the barracks and NW circular bastion, are still in good enough
condition to be restored for year-round use. This is because these basic
masonry structures were roofed over by the Navy around 1910 to use as
munitions storage facilities. Many of the more modern Torpedo Station
buildings, on the other hand, are beyond repair and will either be razed
or simply left to fall according to nature’s plan into “picturesque
ruin.” Fortunately, the HAER survey provides a permanent historical
record of what existed as of 2000 when these photos were taken.
RILF’s approved Ft. Hamilton Restoration Project was designed by
Newport Collaborative Architect Richard Ventrone and will proceed on a
building-by-building basis as funding and skilled volunteers become available.
Call 847-4242 for information on how to help or visit www.roseisland.org
SPECIAL NOTES:
Rose Island’s Wildlife Refuge
is closed during bird nesting season from April 1 to August 15.
Rose Island is owned by the Foundation to the extreme low water line,
so no walking around the island or beaching boats is allowed, except at
the lighthouse. Starting August 15, visitors are welcome to walk the beaches
between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Rose Island’s Lighthouse is open for summer tours from July 1 to Labor Day. Hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. Landing Fee at Rose Island is $3 per person, $2 for children 6-12 and seniors. Free to members. Ride the Jamestown-Newport Ferry and get $1 off. You can also become the lighthouse keeper for an overnight or for a week any time of the year. More details on our website.
Island For Sale – Help preserve Rose Island by purchasing 100% guaranteed UNbuildable square-foot lots. This fundraiser is for those who want the privilege of boasting, “I own waterfront property in Newport,” while getting a tax deduction in the process. Create a legacy. Have fun. Make a difference. Lots make great gifts for any occasion! More information at www.RoseIsland.org.
HAER photo of the northwest corner of Ft. Hamilton's barracks, including
railway and car stop post. The late 19th century Navy photo (above) was
taken when the building was used to store explosives. It also illustrates
the Foundation’s restoration goal. A new lookout on the roof will
provide visual access to see the nesting birds in the wildlife refuge
to the north.
HAER photo (above) of Ft. Hamilton’s northwest circular bastion
shows the entrance, looking west. Iron beams supported a light-weight
metal roof to keep explosives dry. The 1895 photo (below) by Edward W.
Smith, Jr., of Jamestown, RI, shows the Foundation’s restoration
goal. A viewing platform will be built inside.
- by Charlotte Johnson
© 2003 Newport Harbor Guide. All rights reserved.