The area now known as Miantonomi Memorial Park in Newport’s north end was the seat of power of Narragansett Indian Sachem Miantonomi, was purchased by English colonists in 1637, and was home to revolutionary war fortifications.
In 1921, the City received the park from the Stokes family, and in 1929 the Miantonomi Memorial Park Tower was built as a World War I memorial. The Tower housed two bronze plaques, honoring 56 American servicemen from Newport who were lost in World War I. The plaques were stolen in 1978.
The City of Newport, the Miantonomi Park Commission and others hope to replace the plaques. While a listing of the names of the servicemen has been found, no description or photograph of the plaques with the full text has been found. It is the desire of the group to restore the dedication plaque with the original text and layout. To help in that goal they are seeking the public’s help in identifying what the plaques looked like. Members of the public that have or have knowledge of photos that include the plaques are asked to contact the City of Newport Buildings & Grounds Supervisor, Scott Wheeler at 845-5802; email: swheeler@cityofnewport.com.
“Newport has many memorials dedicated to exemplary service and sacrifice of those in uniform. They are gone, but not forgotten, and it is time to restore the tribute stolen from the Miantonomi Memorial Park Tower”, says Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano.
