Jamestown: Architecture, Landscape, and the Making of a Rhode Island Paradise

Jamestown, Rhode Island, set in the shimmering waters at the entrance to Narragansett Bay, is marked by cliffs and fields looking out to the sea- a vision of paradise, a place of natural abundance and scenic beauty. For centuries, builders devised architecture that seamlessly rose from and merged back into stony coast and rolling meadows. This island is home to a timeless landscape of pastoral richness and picturesque views; its buildings a testament to those who sought their fortunes and fulfilled their fantasies, within sight of the mainland, but a world apart. In each case, there is a remarkable relationship between the island’s topography and its architecture. Through maps, paintings, poetry and prose, this book illustrates the vibrant heritage of Jamestown, its role as a place of refuge and retreat through the ages, a paradise shaped by the visions and labors of its inhabitants.

John R. Tschirch is an award-winning architectural historian and Honorary Member of the Garden Club of America. His career in historic preservation has brought him across the globe to study and teach at cultural heritage sites and landscapes. He has lectured and published widely, presenting conference papers for UNESCO ICOMOS in Buenos Aires and Yale University’s Mellon Center in London. John’s work in preserving and interpreting historic places has been featured in The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and Martha Stewart Living, and he has appeared on the A&E documentary series America’s Castles. His publications include America's Eden: Newport Landscapes through the Ages (2022) and Newport: The Artful City (2020).