Tours

Cultural Wood Street Walk (1 Mile)
Head east on State Street. Bradford-Dimond-Norris House is on northeast corner of State and Hope streets. Bradford was the Deputy Governor of Rhode Island.

On your right, numbers 82, 86, and 92 State St, were designed by RI architect Russell Warren, known for Federal style houses, most notably Linden Place. 135 State St houses the Bristol Train of Artillery, established in 1776.

Across the street is the Town Common. Turn left on Wood Street, an eclectic neighborhood, brimming with Portuguese bakeries, fisheries, and markets, settled by those who immigrated from Portugal and the Azores to work in Bristol's mills and factories. The site of the National Rubber Company is at Wood and Franklin Streets. Turn left on Franklin Street. The Hydraulion Engine and Hose Co. No 1 was established in 1843, and is one of the nation’s oldest volunteer fire companies in continuous service. Turn left on Thames Street. Independence Park, at the foot of Franklin Street was Bristol's first commercial wharf, constructed in 1722.

Thames Street Landing, a renaissance of the wharf area, is home to interesting shops and eateries and The Bristol Harbor Inn. In the late 1700's the DeWolf family developed this area for their various shipping interests. The buildings included the Bank of Bristol (Bristol's first bank) and the DeWolf warehouse, constructed of African stone. Turn left on State Street and return to where you began or wander on to discover more of Bristol's treasures.

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