Designed by Frederick Rhinelander King, Seamen’s Church Institute is the only building on Newport Harbor that continues to be used for its original purpose as a non-profit human service organization. While much has changed on the Newport waterfront over the past 89 years, Seamen’s continues to be a welcome haven to mariners and the community.

Visitors to our National Historic Register building often express a sense of comfort that invites them to explore its history, utilize its services or seek assistance to resolve an immediate need. As with many things which become familiar, we often forget what is special.Comments written in our guest log validate how special and meaningful the Institute is:

“This house and the very friendly people gave us shelter like a home.”

“Fantastic programs & a great place for tired voyagers to stop.”

“This is a great place, one to which we will return often.”

“The true port in the storm.”

Welcome To Our Treasures
In addition to providing valuable services to mariners and the community, Seamen’s is also home to some unique features that would be difficult to duplicate. Upon entering the first floor foyer of the Institute, you are immediately drawn to the six-footsquare 1930 William Drury mural of Narragansett Bay. As part of Seamen’ Campaign and through the generosity of the Goddard Family, both the mural and foyer will be restored as part of the planned renovations. To the left of the mural, engraved in the wood panel is a listing of parishioners of the Episcopal Churches in Newport who died in the “great war” World War I.

To the left of this memorial is the Mariners’ Lounge which features a wonderful portrait of US Senator and Governor Wetmore for whom the building is dedicated. On the opposite wall is a Lydia Redmond memorial painting of an allegorical Viking Ship sailing forcefully on the ocean. To date we have been unable to develop additional information on this painting.

The Mariners’ Lounge serves as a diningroom for our Aloha Café, which is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Newly rennovated and furnished, the Mariners’ Lounge is also offered as affordable event and meeting space for businesses, community organizations and private social functions. In addition, the Lounge is open and welcome to all as a comfortable respite — a place in which to relax,read the paper, meet informally and access the internet and Wi-Fi.

A Visit To The Second Floor
The dark paneled grand staircase takes you to the second floor foyer and our gallery of memorial pictures of those who were associated with the sea or Seamen’s Church Institute. Also prominently displayed in the foyer is a recently acquired 1860 map of Newport and Surrounding Communities that was generously donated by Yusha Auchincloss and restored by Yusha and Harry Anderson. The foyer also exhibits newspaper articles, one dates back to 1930, chronicling the history of Seamen’s.

On one side of the foyer is the office of Confident Captain, a maritime education and training program. In looking for a tenant the board of directors wanted an organization that was compatible with the mission of the Institute. The marine education and training offered by Confident Captain is very complimentary to our mission of helping mariners.