Museum of Newport History

Story

The Museum of Newport History is a history museum in the Old Brick Market building in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It is owned and operated by the Newport Historical Society at 127 Thames Street on Washington Square. The building, designed by noted 18th-century American architect Peter Harrison and built in the 1760s, is a National Historic Landmark.DescriptionThe Brick Market is a three story brick structure with a low hip roof. Its ground floor has round-arch openings, which were historically open but have mostly been glassed over. The upper level bays are separated by large pilasters with Ionic capitals, with a dentillated cornice below the roof. The second floor windows are rectangular sash, topped by alternating gable and segmented-arch pedimemnts. The third floor windows are square, with a simpler molded surround. The interior has been extensively altered over time, with little historic material surviving.HistoryThe Brick Market was designed by Peter Harrison, a major architect working in the British colonies during the 18th century. Harrison based the Georgian design on a part of the 17th century design of Somerset House by Inigo Jones, altering the building material from stone to brick, and replacing Jones' Corinthian capitals with those of the Ionic order.