The Redwood Library and Athenaeum
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum
Are you a book lover? Or do you thoroughly enjoy visiting truly unique treasures of historical significance? If you answered yes to either then a perfect venture for your visit to Newport would be The Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum's claim to fame is being the oldest library building in use today and also the oldest lending library in America. Also it is the only library in America that has been used consistently as a library since being built for that purpose since the Colonial period. You cannot help but admire this Roman temple like building but looks can be deceiving it is actually made of wood but in 1747 that was not quite fashionable so they overlaid with exterior paint mixed with sand to make it resemble cut stone.
Once inside you will be awed by the historical richness that surrounds you, after all The Redwood Library and Athenaeum was built and established even before the United States was born. Briefly during the Revolutionary War it was used as a British officer's club and many of it's original volumes were stolen or got lost along the way but right after the war the library made it a mission to get back all their collection by placing ads everywhere. Their mission was highly successful they regained 90% of the original collection of approximately 750 books and they are still looking for the other 10%.
You will find more than books here, you can admire an outstanding collection of 18th and 19th century portraits, sculptures, antique furniture and more for you to enjoy.
