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Once famous for its Navy facilities, North Kingstown has growing commercial and manufacturing presence. Located near the mouth of Narragansett Bay, water activities are an important part of life in North Kingstown. Its picturesque village of Wickford is famous for its art festival. North Kingstown can be reached by Route 1or I-95 to Route 4, it is a 25 to 35-minute commute to Providence.
Kings Towne was incorporated in 1674, and included the vast area of Narragansett County. While it encompassed the present towns of North Kingstown and South Kingstown at that time, it was not until 1722-23, that they were established as separate towns. Best known as Rhode Island's sea town, North Kingstown's contributions are as historically significant as they are unique.
Because of its location and natural harbor and beaches, North Kingstown is famous as a summer resort and haven for pleasure boats. Among its many historic sites still standing are Smith's Castle at Cocumscuccoc, built in 1640, by Richard Smith as a trading post, and was used as a rendezvous point for troops who fought in the Great Swamp Fight in 1675. North Kingstown is also the birthplace of America's foremost portrait painter, Gilbert Stuart. Rolling Rock and Queens Fort, two of North Kingstown's landmarks, indicates the strong presence and tradition of Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island.
With its enchanting old churches and quaint colonial shops and homes, North Kingstown is an example of traditional life in New England. Two examples are the Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707, the oldest Episcopal Church building north of Philadelphia, and Wickford Village, which contains an impressive collection of houses dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries-most likely the largest concentration of colonial houses in such a small area in the nation.
Today, North Kingstown is in the vanguard of a trend that is marking the future of Rhode Island's economic stability and industrial growth. From its earliest industries such as textiles, farming, fishing and boat building, to the designation in 1941 of Quonset Point and Davisville as major naval installations, North Kingstown has had a rich history of diversified economic growth and development.
The year 1973 brought an end to naval activities in North Kingstown, however, the closed facility at Quonset Point provided Rhode Island with over 750 acres of prime industrial land with ideally-suited, in-place facilities for a major job-producing Industrial Park, continuing North Kingstown's growth and economic development.
CASEY FARM. (c. 1750) Route 1-A, Saunderstown. Casey Farm is a rare example of one of the original plantations of the Colonial era. The farmhouse, (c. 1750), is surrounded by fields, barns and a family cemetery, and was a site of Revolutionary activity. In cultivation since the time of the Narragansett Indians, Casey Farm continues to be a working farm, with livestock and vegetable production. Owned by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. OPEN: Jun 1-Oct 15, Tue, Thu & Sat, 1-5 p.m. 295-1030.
GILBERT STUART BIRTHPLACE. (1751) 815 Gilbert Stuart Road. Stuart, born here in 1755, was foremost portraitist of George Washington. Operating 18th century snuff mill, the first in America, with water wheel. Colonial furniture and tools. Apr 1st-mid Nov, daily, except Fri, 11-4:30 p.m. 294-3001.
LAFAYETTE TROUT HATCHERY. 465 Hatchery Road. Route 4, to Route 2. OPEN: Daily, 8-3:30 p.m. 294-4662.
OLD NARRAGANSETT CHURCH. (1707) Church Lane, off Main Street, Wickford. One of the oldest Episcopal Churches in America; one of four original Colonial parishes in the state. Features Queen Anne communion silver, box pews, wine glass pulpit and slave gallery. Oldest church organ (1680) in North America. Gilbert Stuart, noted Colonial portraitist, was baptized here. OPEN: Jul & Aug, Fri-Sun, 11-4 p.m. 294-4357.
QUONSET AVIATION MUSEUM. 488 Ecclecston Avenue. Located in the only brick hangar on the East coast, this working museum hosts a growing collection of aircraft's and New England Aviation memorabilia. Aircraft such as a Russian MIG-17, AN-2, TBM Avenger and A-4 Skyhawk are on display and under restoration. Rhode Island aviation exhibits focus on both commercial and military history. OPEN: Sat & Sun, 10-4 p.m. Groups by appt. 294-9450.
SMITH'S CASTLE - A RHODE ISLAND PLANTATION. (1678) 55 Richard Smith Drive, off Route 1, one mile north of Wickford. One of America's oldest plantation houses (1678) located near the site of a trading center established by Roger Williams about 1636. At 27 sq. miles of coastal lands, it was one of the largest of the RI plantations. Fully furnished with lovely grounds and gardens. Recently declared a National Landmark site for its significant archeological discoveries. OPEN: May, Fri-Sun; Jun-Aug, Thu-Mon; Sep, Fri-Sun. Open all three-day weekends and other times by appt. 294-3521.
WICKFORD ART ASSOCIATION GALLERY. 36 Beach Street. Gallery and Art Center overlook West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Classes, lectures, demonstrations, and bi-monthly exhibits. Numerous art programs. Association meetings (open to the public) second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. No meetings in July and August. Business meeting and artistic demonstration. OPEN: Tue-Sat, 11-3 p.m.; Sun, 12 noon-3 p.m. Closed Monday except for classes. 294-6840.
Population: The population count for the Town of North Kingstown as of April 1, 2000, was 26,326. This represented a 10.7% change (2,540) from the 1990 population of 23,786.
Population Density: North Kingstown contains 113.209 square kilometers of land area (43.710 Sq. Miles) and 38.197 square kilometers of water area (14.748 Sq. Miles). Total area is 151.406 square kilometers or 58.458 square miles.
The 2000 population density of North Kingstown is 602.4 persons per square mile of land area.
Age Distribution: In 2000, 19,478 persons residing in North Kingstown were 18 years of age or older.
| Population: | 1990 | 2000 | Change |
| Total | 23,786 | 26,326 | 2,540 |
More Census 2000 data on North Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island is available at the Statewide Planning Program Website.
Town Hall
80 Boston Neck Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
FAX: 885-7373
| Location: | Washington County |
| Form of Government: | Town Manager and five member Town council. |
| Council Meetings: | The second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm. |
| Fiscal year begins: | July 1 |
**Information above provided by the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development Corporation
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