NEWPORT — The public is invited to take a tour of the historic Saint Joseph Cemetery (also known as the Barney Street Cemetery), to be given by the Museum of Newport Irish History during the 45th annual Newport Irish Heritage Month. The burial ground, located at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets in Newport, is the oldest Catholic cemetery in Rhode Island, and on this site once stood Rhode Island’s first Catholic church (1828).
Come learn about this site, the “birthplace” of Rhode Island’s first Catholic parish, established in the early nineteen century to serve Newport’s growing Irish immigrant community. The free, outdoor tours of approximately 30 minutes will be held, weather permitting, at 12:30 p.m. on these three Sundays: March 6, 20, 27.
For more information and the link to reserve, please visit the “Events” page at www.NewportIrishHistory.org or phone Ann at (401) 841-5493.