Newport Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted an improvement project consisting of "general repairs to armory" at the former armory in Newport, Rhode Island. As of 2023 the building is home to the Sailing Museum and City of Newport Maritime Center. WPA Project No. 65‐16‐1100

"At the southern-most tip of Aquidneck Island lies a WPA sea wall that helps protect the historic seaside city of Newport, Rhode Island. Just feet inland from the 10-foot-high concrete sea wall that runs over a mile sit some of the largest and most historic mansions in the country. The Mansion District extends up through town and includes the homes of some of the wealthiest industrialists in the US at the turn of the 19th century, including coal baron Edward Julius Berwind whose house and "servants quarters" you can now tour. Newport's Mansion District and wealthy community relied, in part, on the 2,229...

"Cardines Field, "a small urban gem of a ballpark" is a baseball stadium located at 20 America’s Cup Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. Wikipedia: "Stone and concrete bleachers were built along the third-base line by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936-1937. The plaque at the entrance that reads "1937" refers to this date. The current grandstand was built by the WPA following the devastating hurricane of 1938. The distinctive curving grandstand section behind home plate was built in 1939. Over the coming decades, the park continued to grow through construction projects to increase capacity, eventually creating the patchwork, overlapping stadium seen...

In early 1935, PWA crews conducted renovations and improvements to the Henry R. A. Carey School, which dated to 1896. The school closed in 2010, and in 2014 was renovated again as luxury condominiums and renamed the Carey School Residences.

The W.P.A. constructed sidewalks in Newport, Rhode Island, including at what one photographer calls "Cliff Walk Beach."

New Deal-funded crews built an addition to the Calvert School, now Cranston Calvert Elementary. The school closed in 2013, though the building remains standing as of May 2015. The Newport Mercury, linked below, suggests that funding was through the PWA: "Official approval 0f Ray E. Wilson. Jr., as plumbing contractor for the Cranston-Calvert school improvements now being carried on through PWA funds has been received by Superintendent of Schools Lowe. Mr. Wilson has started work at Cranston. Superintendent Lowe said today that he expected to receive approval from the PWA office on the Humford plans any day."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted numerous improvement and development projects at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island. The projects collectively cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and included building repairs, the construction of a hospital, and plumbing and road improvements. Additional details, Official Project Numbers, total project costs, and sponsor information relating to the more than 16 W.P.A. projects undertaken at Camp Adams can be found in the DoD Heritage Assessment identified as a source, below.

In Newport, Rhode Island "the WPA built sidewalks and most of the stone walls, grandstands, concession buildings and other facilities in Newport’s public parks. Vernon Park, Freebody Park and Cardines Field are the most visible examples." At Freebody Park, the extent of WPA work is unclear as the astounding stone perimeter wall bears a 1932 date stamp, which pre-dates the New Deal.

The PWA funded an addition to the Mumford School circa 1935. After the school closed in the late 2000s, the building was renovated and converted into affordable housing. It is now known as Mumford Manor.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted multiple improvement and development projects at what was referred to as the "Newport Naval Base" and "Newport Naval Training Station" in Newport, Rhode Island. The projects included road construction, water and sewer system development, and grounds and buildings improvements.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted multiple improvement and development projects at what was then the Naval Torpedo Station, located on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island. The projects included construction of a hospital wing, new barracks, the improvement of a power plant, and construction of retaining walls. Goat Island no longer houses military operations.

The PWA funded this addition to the Potter School, which dates to 1881. Like the Carey School, it has been converted into luxury condominiums.

The PWA funded renovations and an addition at the Sheffield School circa 1934. The school closed in 2007, and the city has explored turning the building into a high-tech innovation center called InnovateNewport with a $1.7 million federal grant, but the status of the project is unclear.

In Newport, Rhode Island "the WPA built sidewalks and most of the stone walls, grandstands, concession buildings and other facilities in Newport’s public parks. Vernon Park, Freebody Park and Cardines Field are the most visible examples." At Vernon Park the WPA built an astounding stone "playground slide, complete with firehouse and chimney," at the park's northeast corner (on Vernon Ave.). It possibly also built the stone walls around the park's tennis courts.

A large-scale waterworks improvement construction project was undertaken in Newport, Rhode Island with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $133,947 grant for the project, whose total cost was $224,049. Construction occurred between December 1938 and December 1939. PWA Docket No. RI X1188.