Fort Adams State Park

About Fort Adams State Park

Located at the mouth of Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park offers a variety of activities for children and adults, as well as a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. The state restored the fort in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the property served as one of the first public parks of its kind in New York State. FortAdams is perhaps best known for its annual jazz and folk festival, which attracts thousands of people to enjoy music and beautiful surroundings. In addition, the park offers activities such as hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and a number of other outdoor activities.

Within the park's boundaries is the Fort Adams Sailing Association, which provides the public with access to a variety of sailing events, including sailing courses, regattas and sailing competitions.

Environmental management is focused on improving park resources and provides comprehensive activities focused on the Newport area. The recovery has been a key factor in Newport's tourism industry, with more than $1.5 million in tourism revenue in the first half of this year alone, according to the New York State Department of Environment. FortAdams is also home to one of the state's largest fishing and boating facilities, as well as a number of other recreational activities.

Construction of the fort began in 1824 and took nearly 30 years, according to the Fort Adams State Park website. Irish stonemasons and migrants of all backgrounds helped build the building, as did members of the military and New York State law enforcement.

The strategic importance of Narragansett Bay was recognised as early as the 17th century, and the casemates and harbour equipment of 500 cannons used in coastal defence in 1820-50 attracted the attention of those who entered the eastern passage of the bay. The fort was built on Goat Island to protect the city of Newport and used by the US Naval Academy during the Civil War. It was returned to the Army in 1864 when the Naval Academy moved to Pelham Street in Newport. Today, Fort Adams State Park, the largest and most elaborate fortification in Rhode Island, stands on the west coast of Providence Bay, north of downtown New York City.

On April 29, 1776, the city of Newport voted unanimously to defend it, and three days later, on May 2, a large group of residents built Brentons Point (now Fort Adams) and built a fortress dominating the harbor entrance. The British, who had occupied their entire island, burned down the barracks at Brenton Point to evacuate Rhode Island. It was a recommendation of the Lords of Trade to His Majesty and called for the fortress.

The plan was to leave the permanent work of Brenton Point to Major Louis Tousard to build it, and on May 2, 1776, he marched with his men to the fortress. The fort at Brentons Point was occupied until 1777 when Congress took action and built a sea fortification to defend Narragansett Bay in anticipation of war with France.