Newport

So, rather than just surreptitiously posting about my summer under Laura's name I figured I would just add myself to the blog. I realise no one was fooled into thinking that Laura was posting pictures about historic boats and such.

I recently went with the institute on a walking tour of Newport, Rhode Island. This town has the most surviving colonial and early Republic era buildings in America. I tried very hard to get a picture capturing a typical street that would truly represent the historic ambiance of the town, but I couldn't. The camera just didn't do justice. All I can say is, visit Newport. It's wonderful

This is the old Colonial Hall and later first state government building. It used to have a beautiful weather vein replete with not cockerel but whale. Unfortunately said vein was stolen in an elaborate heist involving a helicopter. The crime remains unsolved and the item has yet to surface on Ebay. I kid you not.

This house was at one point during the American Revolution the head quarters of George Washington and French General Comte de Rochambeau

This building, the Decatur House (circa. 1720) is now an historic Mexican restaurant.
In Rhode Island.
That amused me.

The town's first municipal jail. Now a B&B.
The sign says "vacancies". That also amused me.

America's oldest surviving house of worship. The Quaker meeting house, circa. 1660.

This is the spire of Trinity Parish. Though not the original building this was Rhode Island's first Anglican Parish, founded by order of James II in the restoration era when he learned that Rhode Island had no Anglican Parish and obviously therefore no religion.

Though not the original building the church that stands is old enough, dating to the late colonial period. George Washington is said to have worshipped here in some capacity, though the Anglican clergy had booked it with the loyalists. Obviously all true practitioners of real religion are loyal to the crown.

This is John Hattendorf, our guide. He is a professor at the Naval War College and is also the most knowledgeable naval historian alive in the world. He is a legend. Several of his former students have the word 'supreme' in their actual job description. Including characters like this.

That by him is a model of the HMS Victory.