Portsmouth was settled in 1638 as the second settlement in the area. With Anne Hutchinson as leader of the settlement, Portsmouth became the first community founded in the New World by a woman. Its Indian name was Pocasset, and on May 12, 1649, the name of Portsmouth was confirmed. And as original settlement, Portsmouth became part of the original group of settlements which united to form the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

The history of Portsmouth, which was at one time the most populous town in the colony, is rich with the flavor characterizing Rhode Island's early settlements. In fact, it was in Portsmouth that the most daring capture of the Revolutionary War was accomplished. The British Commander-in-Chief, General Richard Prescott, was captured by Rhode Islander, Colonel William Barton in the Overing House, which is, today, located on West Main Road and marked with an historical plaque.

Reflections of Portsmouth's daring and significant past are further evidenced by several other historical landmarks. Founders Brook is marked as the site of the landing of the first settlers from Boston in 1638. This group was spirited under the leadership of John Clark and William Coddington. The Portsmouth Compact, the first instrument for governing as a true democracy, is inscribed on a bronze and stone marker. The little valley known as the Hessian Hole is a reminder of the famous Battle of Rhode Island, likewise, a memorial dedicated to those blacks that fought in the Battle of Rhode Island as the first Afro-American regiment to fight for the American Flag, is located in Portsmouth. Located on the corner of East Main Road and Union Street is the Southernmost School, the nation's oldest school, containing antique school desks, school bells and a variety of original textbooks.

Portsmouth is a fully-developed, fully serviced community. Among its features are several public golf courses, a modern motor hotel, antique shops, numerous marinas, and, the Sakonnet Times, a weekly newspaper serving the towns of Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton.

Today, many of the town's working population is employed in private industry, in Portsmouth and nearby communities. The earliest source of income for the townspeople was farming and shipbuilding. However, boat building continues as one of the areas major industries.

Many areas, such as Melville, which was heavily occupied with Naval installations prior to the massive Naval reduction in 1974, have become the sites for the development of commercial, industrial, and recreational facilities. At the Melville small boat basin, for example, a 340-slip, fully serviced marina and boat building complex has replaced what was once a Naval docking facility, and the Navy's first PT - boat training facility.

BUTTS HILL FORT. Off Sprague Street. Site was a key position during Rhode Island's only major Revolutionary War land battle, August 29, 1778. Old redoubts still discernible and marker tells of the battle in which Generals Lafayette, Hancock, Greene, and Sullivan participated. OPEN: Dawn to dusk.

FOUNDER'S BROOK. Off Boyd's Lane. Site of the landing of the first settlers from Boston in 1638 under Anne Hutchinson, first woman to establish a town in the nation. The Portsmouth Compact, an instrument which organized the first truly democratic form of government in the world, is inscribed on a bronze and stone marker.

GREEN ANIMALS TOPIARY GARDENS. (1880) Cory's Lane, off Rte. 114. Eighty sculptured trees and shrubs, some shaped in animal forms. Espaliered fruit trees, a rose arbor, and formal flower beds. Small children's Victorian Toy Museum. Gift shop. OPEN: May 1-Oct 31, daily, 10-5 p.m. 847-1000.

HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF RHODE ISLAND PARK. Prudence Island. There are 475 acres of natural landscape for hiking, bird watching, and photography. Entrance to property on Broadway, center of Prudence Island.

MEMORIAL TO BLACK SOLDIERS. Just to the left of the junctions formed by northbound Routes 114 and 24. On August 29, 1778, during the Battle of Rhode Island the First Rhode Island Regiment, comprised primarily of blacks, made a gallant stand which thwarted a British attempt to flank the American line centered on Butts Hill Fort.

NARRAGANSETT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE SANCTUARY. Prudence Island. Self-guided trail and guided nature walks; swimming, boating and picnicking. Ferry from Colt State Park, Bristol, Memorial Day-Labor Day, 253-7482. 683-6780, 253-7482.

OLD SCHOOL HOUSE. (c. 1716) Corner East Main Road and Union Street. Nation's oldest. Contains antique school desks, school bells, and textbooks. OPEN: Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sat and Sun, 1-4 p.m., and by appt. 683-9178.

PORTSMOUTH ABBEY. (1960) Cory's Lane. Benedictine monastery and preparatory school. Outstanding church in contemporary style, designed by Pietro Belluschi. Noteworthy interior feature of the church is wire sculpture by Richard Lippold. Library, also designed by Belluschi, to be built in 1990. OPEN: Year-round. 683-2000.

PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY. (1868) Corner of East Main Rd. and Union Street. Former Christian Sabbath Society Meeting House. Museum. Collection of early household conveniences, farm implements, etc. Julia Ward Howe and other notables preached here. Monument on grounds marks site of initial skirmish, Battle of Rhode Island, August 29, 1778. OPEN: Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sat & Sun, 1-4 p.m., and by appt. 683-9178.

Population: The population count for the Town of Portsmouth as of April 1, 2000, was 17,149. This represented a 1.7% change (292) from the 1990 population of 16,857. 

Population Density: Portsmouth contains 60.109 square kilometers of land area (23.208 Sq. Miles) and 93.485 square kilometers of water area (36.095 Sq. Miles). Total area is 153.594 square kilometers or 59.303 square miles.

The 2000 population density of Portsmouth is 739.2 persons per square mile of land area.

Age Distribution: In 2000, 12,820 persons residing in Portsmouth were 18 years of age or older.

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

Town Hall
2200 East Main Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
FAX: 683-6804

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

Web Links

The Town of Portsmouth Newport County Chamber of Commerce Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau