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Our Newport, RI real estate website provides a wealth of information for home buyers and home sellers. Below, you will find information on the history and culture of Newport as well as links to more detailed information such as demographics and schools. You may view a virtual tour, search homes for sale, and access information on different types of properties such as condos, farms, foreclosures, and vacation homes. This website will give you everything you need to buy or sell a home in Newport, RI.
Virtual Homes is a full-service residential real estate company dedicated to providing a wealth of real estate and local community information to home buyers and home sellers. Our agents are ready to assist you with all of your real estate needs.
Newport RI Community Profile & History
Newport, Rhode Island is home to fabulous mansions, colonial history and great music. It prides itself on being a vibrant community offering a wide variety of year round events and activities. A unique city situated in an incomparable location on the Atlantic Coast, it offers a rich history of more than three and a half centuries.
The first English settlers arrived on Aquideck Island in 1636, accompanying Ann Hutchinson, a young woman who had been expelled from Boston for her religious beliefs, which challenged the very foundations of Puritanism. Hutchinson was inspired to make the journey by Roger Williams, a fellow religious exile from Massachusetts and founder of the Rhode Island colony. Hutchinson and her supporters purchased Aquideck Island from the Native Americans after consulting with Williams, settling in an area at the north end of the island known as Pocasett.
By 1639, however, the group had splintered and a faction led by William Coddington and Nicholas Easton moved south to found Newport. The predominantly Baptist community was quick to embrace a novel idea that would become one of America's founding principles - the separation of church and state. Consequently, Newport became one of the first secular democracies in the western world.
The community's philosophy of religious freedom attracted religious groups of great diversity, including early populations of Quakers and Jews. By 1700, in fact, a majority of residents belonged to the Society of Friends, and Quakers would dominate the city's economic, political and civic life through the rest of the century.
The city's Atlantic island locale and bustling economy were ideal for merchants, and by the 1760's iy had emerged as one of North America's five leading seaports. Commodities that were traded included rum, candles, furniture, fish, and silver, and hundreds of shops sprang up along the harbor as the economy flourished.
The progressive outlook of its citizens made the city a hotbed of revolutionary fervor, leading to three years of British occupation after the outbreak of war in 1776. More than half of the citizens fled the city at the time, although the British army was eventually forced to withdraw as patriot forces neared victory.
The city remains comitted to liberty of conscience and religion, and the present-day landscape is a rich tapestry of lovingly preserved colonial landmarks and contemporary developments. Its historic splendor, scenic harbor and thriving downtown area are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. With a strong commitment to preserving the legacy of an illustrious past and a progressive approach to the challenges of the future, Newport today is a beacon of New England virtue.
Newport Rhode Island Community Information
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Different financing alternatives are available depending on whether you are purchasing a single family, condo, multi-family, or investment property. Understanding the pros and cons of each may help you decide which option is the best for you. Speak to our buyer agent professionals and mortgage partners to understand and evaluate your options.