Special Collections
The Original Collection of 751 titles has grown into more than 200,000 volumes, which our Special Collections is a part of.
The Original Collection of 751 titles has grown into Circulating and Special Collections containing more than 200,000 volumes.
The Special Collections Department at the Redwood Library includes books, periodicals, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and atlases as well as paintings, sculpture, and other decorative arts, ranging in date from 1400 B.C.E. to the present. There are approximately 49,000 volumes of books and periodicals in the collection covering all subject areas, with particular strengths in Newport history, the decorative arts, and the eighteenth century.
As both a membership and community learning center, the Redwood Library & Athenaeum balances the diverse needs and reading preferences of its visitors and patrons with the historic charge of collecting and retaining materials of educational and lasting value. Positioned as a unique resource, the Redwood holds and acquires materials not widely available in local public and academic libraries. The Redwood’s Special Collection holdings are open to members, students, researchers, and the general public by appointment.
Explore Our Collections
Highlights from some of our rare book collections, archival & manuscript collections, fine art collections, and furniture and decorative arts collections can be seen by clicking the buttons below.
Explore Our Collections
Highlights from some of our rare book collections, archival & manuscript collections, fine art collections, and furniture and decorative arts collections can be seen by clicking the buttons below.
View Select Special Collections
Collection Search Guides
Digitized Collections
In 2011, the Redwood Library began a collaboration with the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University. The goal was to have each institution select unique materials from their collection that shed light on life in early Colonial America. The documents were then scanned using the state-of-the-art facilities at Brown University. Through the generosity of the donors who helped fund this project, 41 volumes of the Redwood’s most valuable books and manuscripts are now available to researchers around the world through the Internet Archive. Visit the homepage of the Redwood Library’s digitized collections on Internet Archive by clicking on the first link below. Click on any of the following images to go straight to some of our individual collections that have been digitized as a part of this project. If you have any questions about these items, or if you would like to view any of these in person at the Redwood Library, please contact library staff by emailing our reference email below.
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Special Collection Tours
Group tours of Special Collections material are available by reservation only. To accommodate the interests of specific groups, tours can be tailored to focus on various aspects of the library, such as its art, literature, history, architecture, and any of our special collections. Please contact redwood@redwoodlibrary.org for reservations and fee schedule.
Contact Us
If you are interested in scheduling a reference appointment or are seeking assistance with a research question please contact our library staff for assistance at reference@redwoodlibrary.org or call 401-847-0292
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Tues. – Sat. 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm
Closed Monday
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