Watson Farm
455 North Road
Jamestown, R.I.
(401) 423-0005
Directions
Open: June 1 through October 15
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $4, Historic New England members and Jamestown residents free
Before European settlement, Native Americans planted their crops
of corn and beans on Conanicut Island overlooking Narragansett Bay.
In 1789, Job Watson purchased a piece of this rich farmland, and for
the next two centuries, five successive generations of the Watson
family cultivated the land, changing their crops and practices as
needed to adapt to the evolving market.
Today, the property is still a working family farm. The farmers
raise cattle and sheep for beef, lamb, and wool markets, grow acres
of grass for winter hay supplies, make compost for fertilizer, and
cultivate a large vegetable garden.
The 1796 house, still used as the farmers' residence, is not open
to the public. Visitors are welcome to explore the farmland on their
own, following a self-guided walking tour. Educational programs and
group tours are available by appointment.
Historic New England's Casey Farm is less than five miles away.
Directions: Take Route 138 east across the
Jamestown Bridge. Exit right at the end of the bridge. Turn right
onto North Road. The farm is .3 mile on the right. From Newport
Bridge, take the first exit. Follow the signs to Jamestown. Turn
right on Narragansett Avenue. Turn right at the light on North Road.
The farm is 1.6 miles on the left.
Discover more about Watson Farm in the Historic New England
magazine archives:
