Fort Adams is the crown jewel of Fort Adams State Park, a 105 acre preserve located off Harrison Avenue. Constructed between 1824

and 1857, Fort Adams is the largest and most complex historic fortification of its type in North America.

The fort includes a 6.5 acre Parade Field, casemates for 468 cannons, tunnels to connect the main fortification with the outerworks and to listen for the enemy tunneling when under attack, and extensive landward defenses organized in several rings and culminating in another fort located about a mile from the main work. 

A masterpiece of military engineering and architecture, Fort Adams had an unusually long history, being in active service until after World War II. Deeded to the state in 1965 for historic preservation and recreation purposes, Fort Adams is now under restoration and is open for tours daily from May through October. The Fort Adams Trust, a nonprofit organization, partners with the state to keep the fort open to the public and seek funding for restoration. Another partner is the US Naval War College, located in Newport, which has created exhibits in the restored North Casemates detailing the Defenses of Narragansett Bay over three centuries, the history of the Navy in Narragansett Bay, the history of the Naval War College, and the story of how General Rochambeau and the French army arrived in Newport in 1780 to help win the American Revolution.

The most recent restoration project has been creating a Youth Overnight Barracks in the old Officers Quarters capable of accommodating up to forty young people for an authentic experience in a landmark site. Fort Adams continues to host major public events including in 2007 the visit of the Tall Ships in June and the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals in August.