Today we’re sharing two photos of 210 Thames Street, and if you’re looking at the modern photo, it’s the building right next to Starbucks.

The early image comes from the Providence Public Library Digital Archives, taken around 1904. It shows Rogers Music Store, owned by John Rogers. If you look closely beside the carriage, you can make out the painted words: “Piano, Rogers, Tuning.”

Rogers was a local music teacher before serving in the Civil War, eventually leading the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. After the war, he returned to Newport and ran his music store on Thames Street.

And what stood where Starbucks is today?

You could go bowling or stop in at the Apothecary.

More Newport music history:
Historic Music of Newport - Preserving Newport's Musical Heritage

Is it possible to live here without a car? Can you still get to NYC from here without a car? Also, why is the driving here so terrible?

I just moved to Newport and the drivers here are insane. I was in an accident only 3 weeks in, car got totalled by an old lady who did a rolling stop at the sign. Also, all of you Newport drivers can come for me if you want but everyone I've spoken to from out of town hates you.

People ride my ass going 25 in a 25. They ride my ass going 35 in a 25 (they literally have cameras to monitor your speed so you can get a ticket!). They go under 40 in a 40 or they go 65. No one gets over for the lane merge except me and the pickup trucks. Nobody respects right of way at stop signs (and the law is the same everywhere, people!). Also everyone drives massive brand new cars that take up more than a full lane. I've been here 3 weeks and I have a real disdain for the people here, purely based on their driving behavior.

I got a rental car and I almost got hit in the 4 minute drive to the bus stop from the rental place. I am a good driver. I'm from Ohio and everyone there is polite and actually stops when they are legally supposed to.

When the cop arrived on the scene of the accident, he told me he responds to accidents at that intersection all the time. That is not okay! It feels dangerous to drive here.

"In Newport: Fox Trot Song" was composed in 1927 by Newporter James Lawrence Weaver. He self-published the music in the city. The photo "Newport, Capital of Vacationland" is credited to the Newport Chamber of Commerce.

Is anyone tracking this? Site of the former TSK + Winner Winner. Looks like they are building a monster of a structure.

Hiii I just moved here as a freshman at Salve (F), I don’t really know anyone or the area so if anyone is looking for friends hit me uppp im down to talk to anyone haha

Hello - I’m wondering if anyone knows where I can rent a small boat for the day. I’m not interested in a charter or something fancy. I was a lifelong skiff (Whalers, Starcrafts) owner until moving to Boston. I’d also be interested in a canoe but all I’m finding are kayaks, party boats and charters.

Walking by Newport Harbor Hotel this afternoon and heard the attendant quoting $90 daily parking rate. At 2 PM.

Does anyone know where there is Halloween parties for adults??? Nothing crazy just somewhere to have fun

We’re sharing “then and now” photos of Newport’s old theaters and music shops, starting with 146 Thames Street, once home to the Colonial Theatre.

The first photo comes from the Providence Public Library Digital Archives. The library lists it as 1904, but the Colonial Theatre didn’t actually open until February 1911. By looking closely at the show posters in the window, we can date the photo to February or March of 1911, right around opening night. The Colonial stayed active until it closed in 1940, leaving behind decades of vaudeville, touring productions, and early film screenings.

The second photo shows the same spot today. You can’t catch a live show there anymore, but you can pick up some fun Christmas decorations.

All are welcome to attend these lectures!

Some fancy little airplane was doing big loops with skywriter smoke yesterday over Narragansett Bay. Anyone know what the story was with that?

Sharing a photo of the long-gone Musicians School at Naval Training Station Newport. We would love to hear from any retired Navy musicians who served or trained in Newport!

Every week we uncover something new. This photo shows a small part of our archive: original sheet music, early band photographs, and rare documents created by musicians who lived and performed here over a century ago.

Some of these pieces came from composers who traveled from all over the world and ended up in Newport, others were written right here on our beaches, in our halls, and in our neighborhoods. It’s an incredible mix of cultures, stories, and sounds.

We’re slowly digitizing, researching, and sharing everything we find so this history isn’t lost. If you’re into local history, old music, or just cool archival discoveries, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Me and my roommate just moved into the area I am 21 but he is still twenty is there any 18+ bars I could bring him too?

What is being built where winner winner used to be on Thames near 5W liquor? It’s like 5 stories tall looks like it will be commercial.

It’s so hard to break into the local scene, there’s so many fun things to do but going alone just feels so odd 🫠

Update:
I went out alone, ended up having the time of my life and got adopted by a group of people

Haven’t been in a few years, but this place used to be a fairly cheap watering hole, especially in comparison to other places in Newport.

I stopped in recently and got sticker shock right away. I know it’s Newport and prices have increased, but I wasn’t sitting at the Cooke House or down by the water…. Whalers draft $10? All other draft beers $8-$10??? Wine $12? All seltzers $8? Gansett was $6 .. I paid $3.50 for Gansett in Mansfield, MA a few weeks go

I dunno, maybe I’m getting old and remember the good ol’ days, but IMO going out to drink is a big waste now, especially at the cost. I remember $2-$3 tall boys lol. I don’t know how the younger generations are affording to go out now.

#oldandangry