Rose Island
The Property
Rose Island, a historic 18-acre island in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, consists of a wildlife refuge, lighthouse, and the Fort Hamilton barracks. Rose Island Lighthouse was established in 1870 at the request of the Fall River and Bristol Ferry Lines. It was operated for 100 years by industrious lighthouse keepers and their families, but abandoned after the completion of the Pell-Newport Bridge in 1971. The City of Newport took over the property in 1984, and the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation (RILF) restored the lighthouse and began managing the property, relighting the light in 1993. A mile offshore from the City of Newport’s utility lines and services, the RILF operates the lighthouse in a sustainable and renewable manner, supplying electricity by solar power and water by rainwater cisterns. Rose Island Light is once again listed on today’s charts as a private aid for navigation.
VISIT ROSE ISLAND’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The Collections
Rose Island has been a major site for migratory nesting birds; however, recent years have seen large decreases in the migratory numbers. The island has become colonized by invasive plant species that have been growing into a dense underbrush, covering previous nesting sites. In 2014, The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation successfully raised funds for nesting bird habitat restoration including clearing of underbrush, the planting of new trees, and establishment of a barrier between lighthouse property and the wildlife preserve. A tree planting project in collaboration with the Newport Tree Conservancy helped establish a buffer zone of trees between nesting birds and human activity nearby at the barracks. Ongoing work to remove invasives, protect native trees, and restore this important avian nesting site continues today.
The Mission
The mission of the Rose Island Arboretum is to preserve the historic and environmental integrity of the property of Rose Island and to provide education and public access for all people. Visitors of all ages can learn about the lighthouse’s history and can personally experience a self-sufficient, resourceful way of life. During the spring and summer, public access to the perimeter of Rose Island is restricted due to nesting birds. Full public access is granted after August 15th. In the winter, visitors can see harbor seals rest on Citing Rock on the east side of Rose Island, surrounded by extensive underwater eel grass beds.
