Block Island Historical Society

Block Island Historical Society is a history museum in Rhode Island that focuses on a collection of artifacts documenting the island's past. The displays feature tools from Manissean peoples, Victorian items, boat models, maps, and historical photographs.

The society was founded in 1942 and occupies a former residential building that once operated as a summer hotel. The building later became a center dedicated to preserving the island's local history.

The museum displays the island's connection to its original inhabitants and seafaring past through objects and documents from different periods. Visitors can see how early settlers and maritime life shaped Block Island over time.

The museum provides visitors with clear orientation through its manageable size and thematically organized displays. Regular lectures, cemetery tours, and presentations on local history offer multiple reasons to visit throughout the season.

The museum preserves records of significant events like the Great Swamp Massacre and the Great September Gale of 1815 through its publications. These rare historical accounts give visitors deeper insight into dramatic moments from the island's past.

Location: Rhode Island

Inception: 1942

Address: PO Box 79, Block Island, RI, 02807-0079

Website: https://blockislandhistorical.org

GPS coordinates: 41.17361,-71.56226

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:48