When the colonies were first established, the waters of Europe were so polluted that no sane person would consider drinking it. European colonists, including the upright Puritans, young children, and Baptist ministers drank prodigous amounts of hard apple cider and liquor. Soon, with the "triangle trade" bringing molasses from the Indies to be distilled into rum, Newport became a center for shipping. And, as England began clamping down on the free-spirited Rhode Islanders, Newport became a center of smuggling.

		In 1774 the Rose, under the command of James Wallace, was sent to Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island to put an end to the smuggling that had made Newport the fourth wealthiest city in America. Since the Rose was much larger than any American vessel of the time and Wallace was an effective commander, smuggling soon came almost to a standstill. This severely affected the economy of Newport. Rhode Island's merchants petitioned their colonial legislature to create a navy to deal with Wallace. They backed up their petitions with money by fitting out a merchant vessel for naval service. This vessel was commissioned as the Sloop of War Providence. Providence became the first naval command of John Paul Jones. Rhode Island declared its independence from Britain on May 4, 1776, two full months before the rest of the colonies. The petitioning of the Continental Congress to form a naval force to rid Narragansett Bay of the Rose was the impetus for the creation of the Continental Navy. Many Rhode Island merchantmen went beyond simply smuggling. Many turned to piracy. Some were "privateers", sanctioned by the government to raid enemy shipping. Others turned to preying on non-aligned and sometimes friendly ships, rightfully earning the title "pirate". Newport's White Horse Tavern, the oldest tavern in the US, was established by one of these pirates. In the 1920's, Newport relived it smuggling heritage. But rum's cheapness made it a low-profit item for the rum-runners, and they soon moved from Carribian rum to smuggling Canadian whiskey, French champagne and English gin to major cities like New York and Boston, where prices ran high. It was said that some ships carried $200,000 in contraband in a single run — at a time when $50 a week was considered a good wage for an honest worker. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition, and with it the rum-running business. Most of the rum ships were sold or scrapped, and their crews either went into the merchant marine or the U.S. Navy, which was gearing up for World War II. Surprisingly, the Navy welcomed the ex–rum-runners as skilled and experienced seamen (some with battle experience), often giving them non-commissioned officer ranks.
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Throughout more than 300 hears of history, smuggling and alcohol has left its mark on Newport. This fall, visitors to Newport can learn about the important role rum and other alcoholic beverages played in the history of Newport on an entertaining and educational walking tour. Departing from the Colony House at 6:30 on Thursday and Friday evenings, the new Rum and Revolution Tour will visit the scenic streets of Newport’s Historic Hill and Point neighborhoods. Expert guides share colorful and authentic tales of the rum trade, colonial carousing, Prohibition, rum running, brewing & distilling, tavern life, and more. The tour ends at the Rhumbline Restaurant and Tavern at 62 Bridge Street in the historic Point section. The Rum and Revolution Tour will be offered between September 7 and November 30, excluding Thanksgiving.

“Newport’s historic neighborhoods are a wonderful backdrop for this tour because here the history of drinking in America plays itself out, yet with Rhode Island’s own particular twist,” says Lisa Dady, education director for the Newport Restoration Foundation. “We are delighted to add the Rum and Revolution Tour to our offerings because this is such a significant part of Newport’s past and we are eager to bring it to life.”

There are other walking tours exploring Newport's heritage.

A daylight tour of Newport’s historic streets also runs through the fall. This tour, "Discover Colonial Newport Inside & Out" shares the remarkable story of colonial life on a walk through the charming Historic Hill neighborhood. The tour includes discussion of early struggles for religious freedom with a visit inside the Great Friends Meeting House, Rhode Island’s oldest remaining house of worship built in 1699. Offered from September 7 to October 7 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the tour departs the Gateway Visitors Center at 10:45 am and the Museum of Newport History at 11:00 am.

The Hidden Treasures of Colonial Newport tour visits two historically significant buildings in Newport: the Newport Colony House, built in 1739 for Rhode Island government meetings, and the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House circa 1697. The tour departs from the Museum of Newport History and is offered Thursdays and Saturdays at 1:30 pm between September 7 and October 7, 2006.

Tickets are sold at the Museum of Newport History, located at Washington Square, 127 Thames Street in Newport. The Museum is open daily from 10:00 am -4:00 pm through Labor Day and then Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm through December 23, 2006. Tickets for the Discover Colonial Newport tour are also sold at the Gateway Visitors Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. Tickets for all tours are $12 for adults and $8 for children 8-18 or NHS Members. All tours are 90-minutes in length. For more information, visit www.newporthistorytours.org. - -

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