The East Bay town is situated across the river from Barrington, Bristol is proud of its colonial past that can be seen in the widow’s peak in the former trader and ship captain homes that do the waterfront and the town’s quaint town square. It’s colonial heritage is now mixed with suburban middle-class growth and condominium developments sweeping down to the bay shore. The thirty-minute commute down Rte 114 tree-lined into Warren and continues by the water through Barrington to interstate 195.

The early history of Bristol is associated with the King Philip War. It was within its borders that King Philip maintained his headquarters and plotted his campaign against the white settlers. Perhaps the most noted spot in the town is the place where King Philip was killed in the swamp at the foot of Mount Hope.

Bristol was incorporated as part of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1680. Under royal decree, in 1746 it was transferred to Rhode Island, together with the Towns of Barrington, Tiverton, Little Compton and Cumberland.

Sailing and shipbuilding have played an important role in the life of Bristol since the 17th Century. The historic downtown area contains many fine examples of Colonial and Federal architecture from Bristol's seafaring era. The annual 4th of July parade is the oldest, largest, and most colorful in the nation.

The main campus of Roger Williams College is located on Mount Hope Bay in Bristol, and is one of the few seaside campuses in the northeast.

The town has a variety of shops and restaurants as well as the Bristol Art Museum, the Haffenreffer Indian Museum, and an interesting waterfront.

Bounded by 15 miles of coastline on Narragansett Bay, the town provides facilities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Residents of Bristol enjoy swimming at Beach Terrace, Bristol Highlands, Bristol Narrows, and at the Town Beach. Colt State Park provides a pleasant recess on the west side of the town overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Bristol's geography as a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mt. Hope Bay makes its climate more moderate than most New England communities, warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

The town is only a 30-minute drive from both Providence and Newport and 1 1/2 hours from Boston via Route 24.

BLITHEWOLD MANSION & GARDENS. (1908) Ferry Road, Route 114. Former summer home of Pennsylvania coal magnate, Augustus Van Wickle, this charming 45-room, turn-of-the-century mansion and 33 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens overlook Narragansett Bay and historic Bristol harbor. One of the first and most innovative arboretums in America, it features 50,000 flowering spring bulbs, a Japanese water garden, exotic bamboo stand, and the largest giant redwood East of the Rockies among hundreds of unusual plantings. The mansion interior, gardens and arboretum represent painstaking recreations based on original family documents. OPEN: Grounds: Year-round, 10-5 p.m.; Mansion: Apr 1-Oct 31, 10-4 p.m. Closed Mon. and holidays. Self-guided tours of grounds year-round. Guided tours of mansion and grounds, Apr 1-Oct 31. 253-2707.

BRISTOL HISTORICAL AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY MUSEUM & LIBRARY. (1828) 48 Court Street. Originally built as county jail (1828) using stone ballast from Bristol sailing ships. Two-tier jail addition, built in 1859. Group walking tours by appointment. OPEN: Call main office at 253-7223 for museum hours. 253-7223.

COGGESHALL FARM MUSEUM. (1750) Colt State Park, Route 114. Represents a RI coastal farm in the 1790's and it's community with period farm animals including working oxen. Outbuildings include barn, spring house, cooling house and blacksmith shop. Period farm activities and kitchen garden. OPEN: Summer: 10-5 p.m.; Winter: 10-4 p.m. Summer weekend programs. 253-9062.

COLT STATE PARK. (NR) (H) Route 114. Picturesque three-mile drive around shoreline of former Colt family estate on east side of Narragansett Bay. Playing fields and picnic areas. Salt water fishing permitted. OPEN: Year-round. 253-7482.

COLT STATE PARK CHAPEL. Route 114. Non-denominational chapel on hill overlooking Narragansett Bay. OPEN: Year-round. Arrangements for special use must be made with Division of Parks and Recreation, c/o Colt State Park, Bristol, RI 02809. 253-7482.

HAFFENREFFER MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, BROWN UNIVERSITY. (1955) Tower Rd., off Route 136. The three galleries of the museum present the native arts and material culture of the Canadian and Alaskan North, Southeast, Great Lakes, Plains, Northwest Coast, California, Southwest, southern New England, and Mesoamerica. OPEN: Sep-May, Sat and Sun, 11-5 p.m. Jun-Aug, daily except Mon, 11-5 p.m. Gallery talks, Mar-mid-May and Oct-Dec, 4 p.m. Call for calendar of programs. 253-8388.

HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM & AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME. 7 Burnside Street. Located at the site of the world-famous Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, whose products dominated the Golden Age of Yachting. A unique collection of 35 classic sailing and power yachts built from 1859 to 1947, steam engines, fittings, photographs and memorabilia. The Herreshoffs built eight consecutive successful America's Cup defenders between 1893 and 1934 and the first torpedo boats for the United States Navy. OPEN: May-Oct, Mon-Fri, 1-4 p.m., Sat & Sun, 11-4 p.m. 253-5000.

LINDEN PLACE. (1810) 500 Hope Street. 1810 Federal-style mansion, designed by Rhode Island architect Russell Warren, is located on 1.8 acres in the center of the Bristol Historic Waterfront District. The mansion and historic outbuildings (including a 1906 ballroom building, 19th century carriage barn, 18th century summerhouse) are surrounded by rose gardens and 19th century sculpture. OPEN: Office, Tue-Fri, 9-5 p.m. Gift shop, Tue-Fri, 9-5 p.m. and Sat-Sun, 10-2 p.m. Open for tours, Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Thu-Sun, 10-2 p.m. Other times by appt. 253-0390.

ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY. 1 Old Ferry Road. Independent, co-educational college of liberal arts, selected professional studies, and School of Law. Scenic 125-acre campus overlooks Mount Hope Bay. Conference site. Campus tours. Contemporary Forums Series, Alive! Arts Series, lectures, exhibits, athletic, and performing events open to public. OPEN: Most events. 253-1040.

Population: The population count for the Town of Bristol as of April 1, 2000, was 22,469. This represented a 3.9% change (844) from the 1990 population of 21,625. 

Population Density: Bristol contains 26.178 square kilometers of land area (10.107 Sq. Miles) and 27.258 square kilometers of water area (10.524 Sq. Miles). Total area is 53.436 square kilometers or 20.632 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Bristol is 2,224.7 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 18,070 persons residing in Bristol were 18 years of age or older.

More Census 2000 data on Bristol and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.

Town Hall
10 Court St
Bristol, RI 02809
Fax: 253-1570
Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation

Web Links

Town of Bristol Bristol Online - Bristol Phoenix East Bay Chamber of Commerce East Bay Online