Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
America 250 continues in Rhode Island 🇺🇸—and the story is bigger than most people realize.
In Part 2 of the America 250 series, Jefferson Graham travels to Providence and Newport, two of the oldest colonial cities in America and two places with outsized roles in the American Revolution.
Often overlooked in favor of Boston or Philadelphia, Providence and Newport were critical to independence—from early acts of rebellion to Newport Harbor becoming a strategic military base and the arrival point for French forces whose alliance helped win the war.
Along the way, we explore:
Why Rhode Island matters more than you were taught
How Newport’s harbor shaped the Revolution
The story behind Newport’s iconic historic mansions, symbols of the city’s later Gilded Age wealth
Stunning, walkable locations perfect for history lovers and photographers alike
This episode reveals how a small colony played a big role in America’s founding—and why Rhode Island deserves its place in the America 250 story.
Plus, we explore Newport’s legendary historic mansions, icons of the city’s later Gilded Age wealth—proof that the same place that shaped the nation’s founding would later redefine American luxury.
Where we stayed: Best Western Seekonk, just outside Providence. Thank you Best Western for supporting Photowalks.
bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-seekonk/best-western-providence-seekonk-inn/propertyCode.22058.html
Don't forget to see Part 1: from Boston.
youtu.be/S5gurUI9VCk?si=TV6tQWshr71wnMm1
This episode was filmed on multiple iPhones.
Chapters:
00:00 America 250 Begins in Rhode Island
01:00 Did Providence Start the Revolution First?
02:07 Benefit Street: The Mile of History
03:25 John Brown House & the Gaspee Affair
07:24 Brown University During the Revolution
08:38 Why Newport Mattered in the War
09:14 Walking Revolutionary Newport
11:12 Inside the Newport Colony House
13:32 Religious Freedom & Touro Synagogue
15:16 Newport Mansions & The Cliff Walk
15:48 Photo Tips: How to Shoot Historic Buildings
19:58 Wrap-Up & Next Stop: New York City
đź”” Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
đź”— Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
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👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
âś… For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
#America250 #AmericanRevolution #RhodeIsland #NewportRI #ProvidenceRI #RevolutionaryWar #USHistory #PhotowalksTV
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
America 250 continues in Rhode Island 🇺🇸—and the story is bigger than most people realize.
In Part 2 of the America 250 series, Jefferson Graham travels to Providence and Newport, two of the oldest colonial cities in America and two places with outsized roles in the American Revolution.
Often overlooked in favor of Boston or Philadelphia, Providence and Newport were critical to independence—from early acts of rebellion to Newport Harbor becoming a strategic military base and the arrival point for French forces whose alliance helped win the war.
Along the way, we explore:
Why Rhode Island matters more than you were taught
How Newport’s harbor shaped the Revolution
The story behind Newport’s iconic historic mansions, symbols of the city’s later Gilded Age wealth
Stunning, walkable locations perfect for history lovers and photographers alike
This episode reveals how a small colony played a big role in America’s founding—and why Rhode Island deserves its place in the America 250 story.
Plus, we explore Newport’s legendary historic mansions, icons of the city’s later Gilded Age wealth—proof that the same place that shaped the nation’s founding would later redefine American luxury.
Where we stayed: Best Western Seekonk, just outside Providence. Thank you Best Western for supporting Photowalks.
bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-seekonk/best-western-providence-seekonk-inn/propertyCode.22058.html
Don't forget to see Part 1: from Boston.
youtu.be/S5gurUI9VCk?si=TV6tQWshr71wnMm1
This episode was filmed on multiple iPhones.
Chapters:
00:00 America 250 Begins in Rhode Island
01:00 Did Providence Start the Revolution First?
02:07 Benefit Street: The Mile of History
03:25 John Brown House & the Gaspee Affair
07:24 Brown University During the Revolution
08:38 Why Newport Mattered in the War
09:14 Walking Revolutionary Newport
11:12 Inside the Newport Colony House
13:32 Religious Freedom & Touro Synagogue
15:16 Newport Mansions & The Cliff Walk
15:48 Photo Tips: How to Shoot Historic Buildings
19:58 Wrap-Up & Next Stop: New York City
đź”” Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
đź”— Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
👉Facebook: facebook.com/PhotowalksTV
👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
âś… For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
#America250 #AmericanRevolution #RhodeIsland #NewportRI #ProvidenceRI #RevolutionaryWar #USHistory #PhotowalksTV
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
