Fort Adams is the second largest masonry fortification in the United States, exceeded only by Fort Monroe in Virginia.
The site the fort occupies was first fortified with an earthwork battery during the American Revolution. The guns of this simple fortification were insturmental in driving British warships from Narragansett Bay in May of 1776.
In 1798 work was begun on the first Fort Adams which was dedicated on July 4th, 1799 and named after then President John Adams. This fort, mounting 17 cannon, was garrsioned during the War of 1812 and was active until 1821.
Construction on the current fort was started in 1824 and completed in 1857. Much of the Fort's construction was conducted under the supervision of Colonel Joseph G. Totten - the leading American engineer of his day. The fort was designed to mount 464 cannons and be garrisoned by 2,440 men in wartime.
Fort Adams was garrisoned in 1841 and was never attacked. It was ,however, used in every major conflict while it was active. Fort Adams was deactivated in 1950. In 1965 the fort, and the surrounding lands were given to the State of Rhode Island for use as a state park. Fort Adams was open to the public from 1972 to 1980. In 1985 Fort Adams was designated a National Historic Landmark - one of fewer than 2,300 structures in the United States which have received this distinction.
In 1995 Fort Adams was reopened for tours from May thru October. Fort Adams is also the site of many special events including the world famous Jazz and Folk Festivals.
Contact Information
Tour programs and fundraising for Fort Adams are conducted by the Fort Adams Trust, a private non-profit organization. The Trust may be contacted at -
Fort Adams Trust
Eisenhower House, Fort Adams
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 841-0707
E-mail: jmgould@oocities.com.
Fort Adams Trust Staff
President - Lee Whitaker
Fort Commandant - Colonel Frank Hale, RIM
Executive Director - Eric Hertfelder
Executive Assistant - Deana Casey
Office Manager - Aimee Saunders
Treasurer - Jack Griechen
Senior Tour Guide - John Duchesneau
Senior Tour Guide Emeritus - Stephen A. Ferris (Served 1995 - 2000.)
Webmaster - John M. Gould
Fort Adams Links
Directions to Fort Adams and Tour Information
The History of Fort Adams Provides many historical details about Fort Adams with many historic images. Use theText Only Version for printing and faster downloading.
More History of Fort Adams from the Rhode Island Division of Parks and Recreation. This annonymous history, although poorly organized and proof read, contains many interesting details relating to the design and construction of Fort Adams.
Artillery of Fort Adams Includes links to images of guns of the types used at Fort Adams.
Colonel Henry A. du Pont earned the Medal of Honor during the Civil War and was stationed at Fort Adams from 1870 to 1873.
Fort Adams Image Gallery is maintained by Dan Titus, an active member of the Fort Adams Foundation. His website features many historic, rare and unique images of Fort Adams. A "Must See".
Aerial Photo of Fort Adams courtesy of Terraserver.
View of Fort Adams from the water.
Historic American Buildings Survey Records of Fort Adams Search with keywords "Fort Adams".
Index of National Archives Motion Pictures Featuring Fort Adams
Related Websites
History of Fort Wetherill Built at the turn of the century, Fort Wetherill supplemented Fort Adams in defending Narragansett Bay in both world wars. Today Fort Wetherill's massive gun emplacements can be seen by the public in a beautiful natural setting. Satellite Image courtesy of Terraserver.
Newport Artillery Company The Newport Artillery Company was chartered in 1741 and is still and active unit of the Rhode Island Militia. The company was stationed at Fort Adams during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
The Center for Fort Preservation and Tourism features links to many other websites related to forts in the United States and around the world.
Coast Defense Study Group An organization serving those interested in studying and preserving American coastal forts.
Unofficial Fort Monroe Homepage Dedicated to the only fort in the country larger than Fort Adams.
Museum of Yachting When you visit Fort Adams please also visit the Museum of Yachting. It has many exhibits for both the seasoned yachtsman and the casually curious.
Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau A wealth of information on where to stay, eat and have fun in the Newport area.
Newport on Line Features a panoramic view of Fort Adams and the surrounding waters.
E-mail the Webmaster at jmgould@oocities.com.
