Exploring New England’s Past: Beautiful Historic Massachusetts & Rhode Island Architecture
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New England is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. Massachusetts and Rhode Island are no exception. Both of these gorgeous states are comprised of historic towns with charming historic buildings. Many of these buildings are over well over 100 years old.
Below I have compiled an assortment of beautiful pictures I have taken around Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Many of these historic building are located along the brick lined Freedom Trail which takes you on a journey past 16 sites of historical significance. This is just a glimpse of several of the mesmerizing historic sites you will find. Everywhere you turn, especially in Boston, you are surrounded by gorgeous reminders of the past.
Enjoy this step back in time…
Faneuil Hall
- Built in 1742
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: Faneuil has served as a meeting hall since 1742. Many prominent figures have made speeches (regarding America’s independence from Great Britain) here, including Samuel Adams. There are many great restaurants here, street performances daily, so a great place for a break after several miles on your feet.
King’s Chapel
- Built in 1686
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: King’s Chapel was founded back in 1686 and still uses the same pulpit (speaker’s stand). It is the oldest being used in the US.
Park Street Church
- Built in 1809
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: William Lloyd Garrison gave an anti slavery speech at this church on July 4, 1829.
Massachusetts State House
- Built in 1798
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: Designed by Charles Bulfinch, a prominent architect at the time. The beautiful dome is now covered in 23K gold to prevent leaks. The land was formerly owned by the 1st governor, John Hancock.
Old South Meeting House
- Built in 1729
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: Originally established as a Puritan meeting house. Many historic figures have passed through including Judge Sewall (he apologized for the Salem Witch Trials at this meeting house) and Benjamin Franklin (he was baptized here).
Old State House
- Built in 1713
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: This was the site of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
Old North Church
- Built in 1723
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Located on The Freedom Trail
Significance: Old North Church is Boston’s oldest church building. This is also where the phrase “One if by land, and two, if by sea” originated (where Robert Newman signaled the arrival of the British with the lighting of 2 lanterns).
Learn more about each of these historic sites
First Church
- Built in 1629
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Location: 316 Essex Street
Significance: First Church is one of the oldest operating Protestant churches in the US.
Old Town Hall
- Built in 1816
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Location: 32 Derby Square
Significance: Designed by Charles Bulfinch (also designed the Massachusetts State House), a notable architect of his time. Old Town Hall is the oldest building still standing in the city. Side note: A scene from the 90’s Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus, filmed here. If you love this 90’s cult classic as much as me, you will definitely want to see Max and Dani’s house and Allison’s too while you are in town.
The Ropes Mansion
- Built in 1727
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Location: 318 Essex Street
Significance: Former home of Nathaniel Ropes, a judge in the Salem Witch trials. Hocus Pocus fans will also recognize this beautiful home as Allison’s house in the film. As a longtime fan (way before it became popular), I loved seeing the house from the famous trick or treating scene!
The Witch House
- Believed to have been built in the 1660-1670s
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Location: 310 Essex Street
Significance: The Witch House is the only building connected to the Salem Witch Trials that stills stands today. It was the former home of Judge Corwin. I find this house so creepy!
National Monument to our Forefathers
- Built between 1859-1889
- Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Location: Allerton Street
Significance: This grand statue (including the pedestal it reaches a height of 150 feet!) was built to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth. It is the largest solid granite monument in the US. On a side note, the Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall (305 feet with the pedestal).
1st Parish Street
- Built in 1637
- Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Location: 19 Town Square
Significance: 1st Parish Church is the oldest continuously running church in New England.
Widener Library at Harvard University
- Built in the early 1900’s
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Location: Harvard Yard (2 Kirkland Street)
Significance: Built as a tribute to Harry Widener, one of the passengers on the Titanic. We learned this on our tour of the campus grounds (highly recommended!).
Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
- Built in 1807
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Location: 10 Garden Street
Significance: The institute was formed when Harvard University and Radcliffe college combined. Radcliffe College was an all women’s university which operated from 1879-1999. You will learn more info on the free educational student run tour offered by the University.
Lizzie Borden House
- Built in 1845
- Fall River, Massachusetts
- Location: 230 2nd Street
Significance: In 1892, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murdering her parents with an ax. To this day, no one is sure of the real story and speculation continues today as to who really murdered her parents. The house now operates as a bed and breakfast. I recommend a day tour if you are interested in the case.
Pilgrim Monument
- Built from 1907-1910
- Provincetown, Massachusetts
- Location: 1 High Pole Hill Road
Significance: This grand 252 feet tall structure was built to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown. You can pay $21 to climb the tower for an amazing view of the Cape. Also, there is a small museum where you can learn more about the Pilgrims.
Rhode Island State House
- Built from 1895-1904
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Location: 82 Smith Street
Significance: Rhode Island’s beautiful capitol building is home to the 4th largest self supported marble dome in the world. Tours available.
John Brown House
- Built in 1788
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Location: 52 Power Street
Significance: Former home of John Brown, one of the most famous slave trading families in Rhode Island.
Nightingale Brown House
- Built in 1792
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Location: 357 Benefit Street
Significance: Located in the College Hill section of Providence, this historic home which once belonged to Nicholas Brown Jr. (the son of Nicholas Brown Sr., the co-founder of Brown University), is now home to the Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage at Brown University.
Providence Athenaeum Library
- Built in 1838
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Location: 251 Benefit Street
Significance: This historic library, the 4th oldest in the US, is now open to the public.
Rufus Waterman House
- Built in 1830
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Location: Benefit Street
Significance: This historic house is located on Providence’s Benefit Street, one of oldest streets in town.
Explore more history on Benefit Street
The Breakers Mansion
- Built from 1888-1892
- Newport, Rhode Island
- Location: 44 Ochre Point Avenue
Significance: The most famous of the historic Newport Mansions, The Breakers was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt. This masterpiece comes in at an over-the-top 138,000+ square feet!
Salve Regina University
- Built in 1892
- Newport, Rhode Island
- Location: 100 Ochre Point Avenue
Significance: This gorgeous university is located on Newport’s beautiful CliffWalk. Ochre Court, the administrative building, is the 2nd largest of the Newport Mansions.
St. George’s School
- Built in 1896
- Middletown, Rhode Island
- Location: 372 Purgatory Road
Significance: A private boarding school founded in 1896 that has a magnificent location on a hill overlooking the gorgeous Rhode Island coast. Second Beach in Middletown (pictured below) provides great views of this grand building.
There is so much more to New England that just historical sights. I recommend browsing my New England bucket list for more great activities you don’t want to miss.
