The history of the city of Newport, Rhode Island, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this spiral-bound booklet, reprinted from two hard-to-find books: History of the State of Rhode Island  published in 1878 by Hoag, Wade & Co., Philadelphia, and Rhode Island, a Guide to the Smallest State, a WPA project published in 1937. The booklet measures 11" x 8 1/2" and is printed one-sided on 60# paper. A clear vinyl sheet has been added to protect cover, printed in copper, dark blue and black on Natural Skytone Parchtone stock.

The 1878 book excerpts cover the early development of this area, while passages from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a later vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities.  Among the many and diverse subjects taken from these books are: Physical features, such as "the Bluffs" and "Purgatory" and "Spouting Rock"; Mystery of "The Old Stone Mill"; the State House, and John Handy, a patriot; City Hall; the various Liberty Trees; Various notable residences; Blue eggs and egg-pop" at election time; The Cliff Hotel, the Aquidneck House and other hotels;  Early Settlers and Population Origins; Early laws and court actions; Early Calamities; Early Business Interests; Distilleries; An early Display of Horsemanship; Manufacturers; Fire Department; Newport Artillery Company, the Newport Guards, Newport Light Infantry, Burnside Guards, and various forts, etc.; Interesting "red flag/white flag" bathing rules; Literary and Benevolent Institutions; Gravesite of Oliver Hazard Perry; Ancient Cemeteries; Banks; Newspapers; and Secret Societies (names of early officers); Education; Histories of Religious Institutions; an ecumenical dinner party at Nathanael Greene's (father of the general); mock Negro elections; the slave trade; British and French occupations of Newport in the Revolution; an automobile parade in 1899; "Hen" dinners and other aspects of Newport society; and other interesting bits of history and trivia.

 There's also an early map of the state, a population table, and a description of 82 Points of Interest with a tour map.

The booklet contains some nice sketches of early structures in the area: the residence of Seth Bateman, the State House (1742), the Old Grannery/City Hall (1763), the Old Stone Mill, and Redwood Library.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?