Historic Music of Newport

11/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to learn about the life, music and art of Jane Pickens.

A special thank you to the Newport Art Museum and the Fleming Family Foundation for making this program possible.

11/03/2026

In 1976, the Strand Theater in Washington Square was renamed in honor of Jane Pickens. But who was she?

Join us Thursday evening at the Newport Art Museum and discover the remarkable story of one of America's most popular singers of the 1930s. A Broadway star, radio personality, recording artist, painter, and philanthropist, Jane Pickens later made Newport her home and became an important figure in the city's cultural life.

Come explore the music, art, and legacy of the woman whose name still shines on one of Newport's most iconic landmarks.

Visit our events page for more details:
https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/events

11/02/2026

From the November 2, 1864, Newport Daily News.

The Band of the 15th United States Infantry at Fort Adams has a new band leader who is no stranger to Fort Adams. Joseph N. Horne, Sr. was first stationed at Fort Adams in 1849, when he served as bandmaster of the 3rd United States Artillery Band. His son, Joseph, Jr, was born in Newport in 1850 and came back to Newport in 1864 as a member of the 15th Band.

Both the father and son were with the 3rd Artillery on the steamship San Francisco when it wrecked on the way to California.

Learn more about the San Francisco:
https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/blog/the-3rd-artillery-and-the-san-francisco-disaster-at-sea

Fort Adams Trust
The Steamship Historical Society of America

10/31/2026

Help us preserve the soundtrack of Newport's incredible history! Every donation, no matter the size, goes a long way toward helping us tell the stories of Newport's musicians. Your gift can also help us acquire physical copies of music so that our musical history can continue to inspire and connect our community for years to come.

https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/donate-today

Support Historic Music of Newport by helping preserve and share the city’s diverse musical heritage, including restored Gilded Age compositions, historic archives, and cultural programs that keep Newport’s music history alive.

10/30/2026

Arthur F. Fenner composed this march and two-step in 1908. This video features Thomas Edison films of daily life at the Newport Naval Station, recorded in the early 1900s. The footage is preserved as part of the Library of Congress Digital Archives, providing a rare glimpse into the naval community that inspired Fenner's music.

Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island
U.S. Naval War College

10/29/2026

Discover Newport's musical past.

Explore the Historic Music of Newport archives and uncover the musicians, bands, photographs, and stories that helped shape our city's rich musical heritage.

https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/archives

Explore Newport’s musical heritage through restored archives, historic scores, concert programs, and rare 19th–20th century compositions. Discover curated collections preserving the city’s cultural legacy.

10/28/2026

Sidney B. Wright was a Newport tattoo artist and composer who operated a tattoo shop at 112 Thames Street in 1913. In addition to his work as a tattooist, Wright composed and self-published music in Newport. Three of his songs are preserved in the Historic Music of Newport digital archives.

Among his known works is "Jasper Jones or I'm In the Navy Now," composed in 1918 and dedicated to "Our Boys in the Navy" during World War I. The piece was self-published by Wright in Newport.

In 1920, Wright relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where he continued operating a tattoo parlor. His life ended tragically in 1943 when he died from injuries sustained in an explosion at work.

10/27/2026

Support our nonprofit as we work to preserve and share Newport's incredible musical history.

Donate today!

https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/donate-today

Support Historic Music of Newport by helping preserve and share the city’s diverse musical heritage, including restored Gilded Age compositions, historic archives, and cultural programs that keep Newport’s music history alive.

10/26/2026

Newport, Rhode Island, Then & Now: 130 Thames Street

The advertisement from the 1863 Newport City Directory shown is for A.J. Ward's Music Store. In the 1876 Fire Map, Ward's is still at that address.

Today 130 Thames Street is the home of the Faherty Brand store.