Santi. Federico The Newport Naval Training Station. A Postcard History

In the late 19th century, at the site of an old asylum for the poor on Coaster's Harbor Island off the city of Newport, Rhode Island, local residents made a decision that would change American military history forever: they proposed that the 90-acre Island become a U.S. Naval Training Center. Postcards and other artifacts document physical changes over time, activities of enlisted trainees, and images of stationed ships. A detailed history unfolds through historical documents, 19th century newspapers, and detailed images. The metamorphosis of Newport, Rhode Island into today's vibrant city is revealed. Development of the Newport Naval Training Station, still in use as Naval Station Newport and the Navy War College, waxed and waned with political forces and both world wars. Postcard images show all facets of life on the base: from the mundane, like washing clothes, to the serious, like drilling, sham battles, artillery training, signal training, and life aboard the battleship USS Constellation.

Historical documents, newspapers from the 19th century and detailed pictures are used to tell a detailed story. The transformation of Newport, Rhode Island, into the vibrant city it is today is shown. The development of the Newport Naval Training Station, still in use today as Naval Station Newport and Navy War College, was influenced by political forces and both world wars. Postcard images show all facets of life on the base: from the mundane, such as laundry, to the serious, such as drill, mock battles, artillery training, signals training and life aboard the battleship U.S.S. "Constellation".