Winter adventures in the City-by-the-Sea

From the editor ~ January/February 2025

Dear readers,

One of my favorite things about living in Newport is being able to walk nearly everywhere. From my apartment, I can seek out several coffee shops, in different directions; collect groceries and drug store items; grab a bottle of wine; meet friends for dinner; meander to the homes of family members; and arrive at the water’s edge to admire a sunset or take a moment to unwind, inhaling that salt-tinged air we all love so much.

All this walking usually means I pass by a cemetery or two. My most-frequent pass-by is of the Clifton Burial Ground (also known as the Golden Hill Burial Ground) on Golden Hill Street. One day, I decided on a whim to enter the grounds, which are lush and lined with flowers (and dotted with a stray tennis ball or two, shot over the wall from the Aquidneck Park courts). I knew the graves were old, and yet I was still surprised at how old. The oldest stone dates to 1670. It was a reminder of all the history tucked into unassuming corners of this city and Aquidneck Island, and of all the people who have walked these streets. In fact, many of the city’s burial grounds reflect different communities of people who have lived in Newport over the centuries, and each grave is a story of someone who made their mark in the moment.

In some ways, each burial ground tells a chapter of Newport’s history, from Golden Hill to God’s Little Acre, to the Colonial Jewish Burying Ground and Trinity’s Churchyard, all the way out to Jahleel Brenton Burying Ground at Fort Adams State Park.

As a visual person who loves a good story, I am very excited to share a watercolor map of these historic burial grounds. Designed by Carrie Lapolla for Newport Life, the map spans two pages and is positioned vertically, allowing for both a visual reference and practical guide. There is a QR code for you to scan, which links to a detailed list of all the locations, which we’ve compiled on our website. Also, the city’s Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission recently installed new signs at the properties it oversees, meaning there is even more information at your disposal. I’m grateful for the knowledge of Lew Keen, chairman of the city’s cemetery commission, who is a great resource on the subject and answered some of my burial ground questions.

This map is a companion piece of sorts to a story by Bob Curley, with photos by Dave Hansen, about the recent completion of restoration work at Belmont Memorial Chapel, located within Island Cemetery. That project breathed new life into the historic building, which restorers hope will now be a space for gatherings and special events.

Our profile subject is Veronica “Conaky” Mays, maker of beautiful quilts
and writer of heartfelt poems. Her work will be on display at Newport Public Library in February in celebration of Black History Month — where she might also give a poetry reading (follow the library for updates & details). Mays is also a new co-chair, along with Frank Newsome, of the Rogers High School Black History Month Assembly, believed to be the longest-running awards ceremony of its kind in the country. For that story, Cathy Callahan chatted with longtime organizers and past recipients, who share what the assembly’s legacy means to them and the community.

And, because it’s not an issue of Newport Life without some sort of food story, we have Andrea McHugh’s foray into the world of sourdough starters and the state’s Cottage Laws, which turned one local woman’s hobby into a sought-after business.

Finally, we’re thrilled to re-launch the magazine’s annual photo contest — and thank all the readers who submitted their favorite snapshots; we loved sifting through your entries and seeing this area through your eyes (pictured at top is Melissa Makris’ entry: “Dramatic one-of-a-kind sky on a windy day at Bailey’s Beach”). The results are a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, which we shouldn’t take for granted. We hope you enjoy the photospread — and consider submitting your photos next year!

On that note, I hope you all indulge in the quiet of winter and maybe take a long walk or two (cemeteries cast in snow are especially alluring — and photogenic!).

Until March,

Helena

Managing Editor

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