• Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum/Nature Trail
• Gilbert Stuart Road, North Kingstown, RI
• Trailhead:  41°31’12.35″N, 71°26’39.08″W
• Last Time Hiked: July 6, 2018
• Approximate distance hiked: 0.7 miles
• Fairly easy, cost for admission.

The very well known local gem, being that of the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum in North Kingstown, offers history, art, and nature. The museum consists of several structures including the house that Gilbert Stuart was born in. Mr. Stuart is known for painting nearly a thousand portraits of famous early Americans including George Washington. His depiction of the first President of the United States was used on the American one dollar bill. The house he was born in, built in 1750, showcases several replicas of his paintings. Furthermore, the house has a waterwheel and in the basement is a snuff mill. The adjacent grist mill, built a few years after the house, also has an operating waterwheel that powers the large grindstones that make corn meal. The gift shop/admission office features a back room that showcases art exhibits. In this room are a couple of Gilbert Stuarts paintings as well as a painting of Mr. Stuart produced by his daughter Jane. There is also a network of nature trails here. The trail head is just over the wooden bridge by an entry gate. The outer loop is blazed with a yellow dot and passes the colonial era Burlingame Cemetery. For this hike ignore the left turn ahead at the red dot connector trail and continue straight to the Carr Pond Overlook. Take a moment to take in nature here. You might catch a glimpse of a great blue heron above the pond that was formed from the dam at Gilbert Stuart. Continuing along the yellow blazed trail you will pass under a canopy of tall oaks and beech trees before coming to the green dot connector trail. Turn left here and soon you will come to the Hammond Cemetery with several gravestones dating back to the 1800’s. Continuing ahead you will pass an impressive New England style stone wall before coming to a three way trail intersection. Turn right here onto the blue dot connector trail. It will lead you back to the yellow blazed outer loop trail. At this intersection on the left is a rather deep cellar hole built upon a hill. To conclude this hike turn left onto the yellow blazed trail and follow it back to the museum. The trails here are only open when the museum is open and there is an admission fee for a guided tour of the buildings, gardens, and entry to the grounds. Be sure to check their website for hours of operation.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace