Situated on a point at the entrance to Newport Harbor, Fort Adams, Rhode Island, was formerly one of the principal coastal defenses along the Atlantic Ocean.

It was established on July 4, 1799, and named for President John Adams, who was in office at the time. Its purpose was to protect the growth of the American Navy, which chose Newport and Narragansett Bay in the early 19th century to meet its needs. The fort was pretty simple, with an enclosed, indented masonry work for 12 guns, a brick magazine, and soldiers’ quarters for one company. Its first commander was Captain John Henry, who later played a key role in sparking the War of 1812. In 1809, additions increased the number of cannons to 17. It was described by the Secretary of War in 1811 as “an irregular star fort of masonry, with an irregular indented work of masonry adjoining it, mounting seventeen heavy guns… The barracks are of wood and bricks for one company.”

However, when the War of 1812 began, Fort Adams was run-down. After a delay, the State provided two artillery companies and two infantry companies to man the guns. But with only 17 guns at Fort Adams and 38 guns at Fort Wolcott on Goat Island, the two forts could hardly withstand a sustained attack. The War of 1812 demonstrated that the seacoast was almost defenseless. Afterward, a board of engineers was organized to study the entire National Defense program and devise the fortifications needed to protect the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines.

The decision was made to replace Fort Adams with a newer and much larger fort. This was part of what became known as the third system of US fortifications. Under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Gilbert Totten, the foremost American military engineer of his day, construction of the new fort began in 1824 and continued at irregular intervals until 1857. The fort consists of an irregular pentagonal masonry main work with sides up to 900 feet long, and its walls are made of granite with brick vaulting. On a point with water on three sides, the fort has extensive landward works and a large granite redoubt beyond the outworks. These various defenses covered 20 acres and were designed to mount nearly 500 pieces of artillery of various calibers. When it was complete, it rivaled only Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, and Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas in Florida in size.

Fort Adams never saw military action, but the Naval Academy was moved there during the Civil War. During World War I, the fort was used as a training center, and men were sent overseas from Newport Harbor. Mines and nets were strung across the channels.

During World War II, new temporary buildings were constructed, and training was hastily begun as thousands of men poured through Newport. Other changes included building anti-aircraft batteries, laying controlled minefields, rebuilding the old Service Club, and building the Chapel. Fort Adams was the headquarters of the Harbor Defenses of Narragansett Bay.

In 1953, the Army transferred ownership of Fort Adams to the Navy. President Dwight D. Eisenhower used the former commanding officer’s quarters, built around 1873, during his summer vacations in Newport in 1958 and 1960. The building is now called the Eisenhower House.

In May 1965, the fortification complex and the adjacent waterfront property were given by the Navy to the state of Rhode Island for use as a state park. In 1976, Fort Adams was declared a National Historic Landmark.

The partially restored fort is open to the public today and operated by the Fort Adams Trust. Period guns and carriages are on display. Daily guided tours from mid-May through Columbus Day provide access inside the old fort. The property also hosts many public and social events.

More Information:

Fort Adams Trust
90 Fort Adams Drive
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
401-841-0707

 

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2026.

Also See:

Forts Across America

Military & Government in the Formative Years (1783-1812)

War & Military of the United States

War & Military Photo Galleries

Sources:

Library of Congress
Rhode Island State Parks
Wikipedia