“Here lies history, carved in stone and whispered by the wind.”
Newport’s seaport soul gathered diverse souls in its soil, from the oldest colonial Jewish burial ground to one of America’s most significant African American resting places. Signer of the Declaration William Ellery sleeps here alongside architect Richard Morris Hunt, while generations of Stevens stone carvers left exquisite legacies now carried by the Benson family.
History lovers and genealogy seekers discover profound layers in Newport Common Burying Ground, where colonial diversity meets masterful gravestone artistry across a compact 0.1-mile walking path. Explore “things to do in Newport RI” that reveal the seaport’s multicultural past through famous burials, intricate carvings and stories etched in enduring stone. Perfect for reflective walks blending American founding with artistic heritage.
With Newport Common Burying Ground Self-Guided Walking Tour, your phone delivers 36+ location-triggered audio stories across 1-2 hours, letting you wander at your pace with hands-free GPS guidance through this historic gem.
Exquisite Stevens family gravestones stand beside William Ellery’s final resting place and Richard Morris Hunt’s architectural legacy, while the nation’s oldest colonial Jewish cemetery shares space with a prominent African American burial ground reflecting Newport’s seaport diversity. Masterful stonework from six generations of carvers, now continued by the Benson family, transforms simple markers into historical sculptures that tell tales of sailors, revolutionaries and immigrants who shaped colonial Rhode Island.
Eternal Echoes Warning: This Newport burying ground tour may spark sudden ancestry curiosity, uncontrollable gravestone photography and quiet conversations with history. Side effects include deeper appreciation for stone carvers, chills from 300-year-old stories, and plotting visits to every cemetery in New England.
Note:
This audio tour does not use GPS, so the recordings won’t start automatically according to your location. The stops are organized in a suggested order—swipe through them sequentially for the best experience. You can also use the “Stop List” to skip ahead or return to previous stops when you wish.
