This collection was assembled by Newport Historical Society staff and added to over the years.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment.
Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from Newport Historical Society. Although NHS has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Newport Historical Society Old Stone Mill collection, MS.1854.8, Newport Historical Society.
This collection documents the debate surrounding the contested origins of the Old Stone Mill in Touro Park and comprises a wide range of materials that span the 17th-20th centuries. The earliest of these are copies of Governor Benedict Arnold’s will, in which he makes reference to “my stone-built wind-mill.” Correspondence in the collection mentions that there were no printed citations of the Mill prior to 1819, though recordings in local documents such as wills and a resolution at a town meeting appear in 1752 and 1756.
The bulk of the correspondence dating from the 1940s-1950s represents the flurry of scholarship and activity that surrounded archaeological excavations of the site in Touro Park between 1944, 1948, and 1954, completed by Waldo Leland, William Godfrey, and Arlington Mallery, respectively.
Many of the pieces are in conversation with one another, and serve to substantiate or refute extant theories. Most notably, scholars and enthusiasts have purported that the Mill is evidence of Pre-Columbian voyages to the Americas by the Norse, the Chinese, the lost tribes of Israel, Crusaders of the 12th and 13th centuries, the Knights Templar, early Irish explorers such as St. Brendon, the Phoenicians, and the Portuguese. Some claim Masonic ties, others believe that the Mill’s walls bear Runic inscriptions and that there is archaeoastronomical significance to its design. A handful of scholars, including representatives of the Newport Historical Society, believe that the Mill was built by early Colonists in Newport, and offer Nicholas Easton, a builder who is known to have created other circular stone structures in the area, as its architect. Connections have also been drawn between similar mills in Chesterton, England and Barbados, where relatives of Benedict Arnold are believed to have lived. The supposed uses for the mill are equally dizzying in their array, and range from Catholic church, mill, watchtower, fortress and lighthouse to refuge from wild animals, temple of pagan worship, and even an early prototype of Newport’s summer cottages.
All together, this collection demonstrates the enduring mystery and importance of the Mill and provides researchers with insight into the theories and conversations that have made this structure central to the lore and allure of Newport, Rhode Island.
This collection is arranged into five series:
This collection is an open collection that has been added to periodically over time by Newport Historical Society staff. Accession information for a particular item can be researched, but is currently unavailable.
Correspondence regarding a spurious newspaper article, which claimed that the Royal Society of Antiquities in Copenhagen had sponsored an archaeological excavation at the Old Stone Mill and discovered irrefutable proof of its Norse origins. As per Melville's letter, "The report is false and groundless in every particular." Signage from Old Stone Mill exhibition. Originals and transcriptions.
Correspondence regarding the excavation of the Old Stone Mill site and the establishment of Touro Park, with a dedicated lot for the Stone Mill. Includes list of contributors who covered the balance remaining after Mr. Touro's bequest of $10,000 to purchase the Stone Mill lot for the Public Park as well as the letter to his executors. Later correspondence between Philip Ainsworth Means and the Rhode Island and Newport Historical Societies regarding book in process and opinions on planned excavation.
Correspondence regarding the history of the Old Stone Mill, Easton's beach, and the Mumford Plan of Newport (1711). Reference to correspondence between the "Antiquarian" and his opponent, "One of the Oldest Inhabitants of Newport". Letter from Philip Ainsworth Means to the people of Newport appealing to them to stop the widening of Mill Street to preserve the Mill and proposing an alternative traffic route. Planned exhibition at the NHS timed in accordance with the publication of Means' book
Western Union telegram regarding John Mumford maps. Correspondence between Herbert O. Brigham and various individuals.
Correspondence between Herbert O. Brigham and various individuals regarding mill inspection and theories of origin. Letter to the editor of the
Correspondence regarding Barbados theory, 1948 excavation of the site.
Correspondence regarding excavation and uncovered artifacts. Includes various articles, scholarly and otherwise, and press debating/making assertions about the mill.
Correspondence regarding articles and publications. Further enumeration of theories, including those suggested by psychic mediums.
More correspondence regarding possible theories of origin, new information discovered by Gladys Bolhouse. Includes runes, cryptography, paintings, and infrared photographs suggesting previously adjoining structures.
Photocopies and typescripts of articles about the excavation of the Mill. Statements of accounts. Memorandums. Correspondence regarding research. Contains separate folder labeled "Iron Bracelet Found at Idlewild."
Contains typewritten account entitled "Comments made by Lloyd Robson in Newport Tower," list of clippings pertaining to Old Stone Mill, and comments on Sister Ann Nelson lecture, all by Joseph W. Blaine.
Letterhead from Robert H. Green, Old Colony Trust company regarding the estate of Philip B. Downing. Agreement. Correspondence from Collins and Collins regarding said estate. Photostat of proposed plans for marker in Touro park commemorating contributors to park's purchase, as per Downing's bequest. Typewritten history of the purchase of Touro Park.
Correspondence between Joseph W. Blaine and others. Typescripts of published works. Photocopies of published articles.
Correspondence between Joseph W. Blaine and others. Postcards. Photographs. Photocopies of published works, including articles. Manuscripts of published, scholarly works.
Menzie's
Correspondence involving Jorgen Siemonsen, Millar, Ron Potvin and others.
Contains a copy of "The Old Mill at Newport" with a note that it was reprinted by permission from The Century, March, 1879. Reports of findings during excavations. Clipping from "The Pageant of the Vikings" by "MHE", including duplicates. Special Interim report from 1955 by Mallery, Easton and Howieson.
Contains excerpt from
Contains article from
Copy of Summer 1950 issue of
Contains note regarding articles about the Old Stone Mill. "Lyra Llediaith and Lyra", "The Newport Tower", and 'Vinland--Gwynedd-land" by Kathleen O'Loughlin.
Pamphlets, photocopies of articles, preliminary report by Arlington H Mallery, diagrams, handwritten note regarding extract of map of the city prepared by Rev. Henry Jackson in 1854. Torn leaves from the
Research and publications about the Old Stone Mill. Includes both published and unpublished materials. Also includes typescript with extracts from Rev. Henry Jackson's map (1856-7) and Christian Bannister's will (1767).
Miscellaneous handwritten notes, timelines, and typescripts of articles and reviews.
Typed note cards, photocopies of handwritten notes with diagrams, handwritten notes and timelines.
Handwritten notes, notecards, typed and handwritten research notes, copies of correspondence.
Newspaper and magazine clippings, notecards. Typescripts.
Newspaper clippings and reviews regarding the Philip Ainsworth Means book, lecture, and planned excavations.
Newspaper clippings reporting on the excavation of the Mill performed by Arlington Mallery and his findings. Includes photocopies.
Newspaper clippings reporting on the excavation of the Mill performed by William S. Godfrey and his findings.
Includes March 1954 issue of
Photocopies of newspaper articles, "While You Were Out" forms, receipts, published works. Correspondence. Lists. Newspaper clippings. Photographs. Faxes.
Includes "Yarmouth Stone", (Kathleen O'Loughlin). "Vinland Map Leads Nowhere" and "The Vinland Voyage - 1941" (Douglas S. Byers). Book Review "The European Discovery of America" (S.E. Morison).
E-mail correspondence and manuscript copies of papers. Includes drawings and diagrams.
Includes "The Viking Cross" (Huntley); "The Visit of the Vikings" (Higginson, 2 copies)
"The Kensington Runestone"; "Three Stories of the Old Stone Mill" (Thomas); "More Light on the Old Mill" (Shelton).
Verazzano as a Discoverer"; "The Old Mill at Newport" (Hatfield); "Did the Norsemen Erect the Newport Round Tower" (Wick); "The Viking Ship" (White)
Report by Dan Welch (Archaeological Geophysics Consultant). Sponsored by the New England Antiquities Research Association, Ted Ballard, Research Chairman. Submitted by Jim Egan.
Photocopy of an article from the column
Includes correspondence and the final version of the essay.
Clippings and photocopies of newspaper and magazine articles.
Includes
Printed by J.B. Nichols & Sons, 25, Parliament Street, London. Communicated to the Society of Antiquaries.
Essay for the American Society of Civil Engineers
Includes correspondence, photocopies, clippings, and bound report entitled "Discovery Under Touro Park: Overview and Research" by Jan Barstad.
Includes clippings, photocopies, and ephemera.
Contains reproduction of the 1634 map in
Contains postcards of Old Stone ruins and Commodore Perry statue, as well as sketches, illustrations, and architectural drawings.
Includes photocopy of sketch of the Mill with hand written note, added later, "'From my father's sketch book. We was together when this was taken. W.B.G.' Before 1832 (as early as 1814?) =Wm. B. Gilpin, Father was John Bernard Gilpin, British consul at Newport. Original in scrapbook. NHS #1280 (red)" and photograph of possible remains of Bull House, with handwritten note from Joseph W. Blaine in 1982.
Contains typescript of extracts from the will of Rebecca Arnoll and (2) photostats of Benedict Arnold Senior's will.
Contains two original copies of Benedict Arnold's will.
Contains materials regarding the Stafford Hill Memorial and Chesterton Windmill.
Front matter from J&P Coats' Exhibit at the Cotton Centennial and the Story of the Old Stone Mill; note cards; 2 copies of invitation to lecture given by Philip Ainsworth Means; poster with text about a cottage complex in Warwickshire called Juxta Pacem; clipping from Popular Science; Notecard with typed extracts from Ezra Stiles' literary diary. Copy of
Contains clipping and photocopies, one of playbill for "Sounds from the Old Stone Mill." Includes handwritten notes from Joseph W. Blaine in 1982.
Brochures, Applications for membership. Index of publications. Flyers. Informational sheets. Newsletters.