Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
4 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
5 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
6 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
7 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Rhode Island Newport Hunter House

Hunter House

The first newspaper printed by an expeditionary force was published in this colonial mansion.

Newport, Rhode Island

Added By
EB Savage
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Hunter House.   Daniel Case
The Hunter House.   Daniel Case
The plaque.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
The Hunter House.   Kacey Victoria
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Peek behind a bench on the back side of this 18th-century mansion, and you’ll find a plaque honoring a forgotten piece of the past. It’s the only hint of the historic newspaper once produced within the building’s walls.

During the Revolutionary War, the French army was stationed at Hunter House in Newport, Rhode Island. To spread news among the French soldiers stationed there, a French newspaper was printed.

First published in 1780, La Gazette Francoise is regarded as the first known service newspaper printed by an expeditionary force. It became the forerunner of such notable journalism as Stars and Stripes, a newspaper printed in Europe for the American forces during both World Wars. But sadly, this tidbit of information is all but lost to history.

The mansion came under the possession of the French after its owner during the American Revolution, Colonel Wanton, fled the town with his family because of his Royalist sympathies. Admiral de Ternay staked his claim on the house and used it as both his personal residence and as headquarters for his troops. Running the newspaper was a colossal feat to accomplish when most of their attention was focused war-based endeavors.

Related Tags

Colonial America Colonialism Revolution Media Houses History Homes

Know Before You Go

There is limited street parking.

The tours of the house are only during “the season” and there is a cost. However, you can walk into the garden and see the sign at no cost. It is on the house, low down, behind the bench.

Community Contributors

Added By

e1savage

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

June 14, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/primary/1/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_House_(Newport,_Rhode_Island)
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=8stQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT73&lpg=PT73&dq=La+Gazette+Francoise+hunter+house&source=bl&ots=cqBMdG0K_N&sig=ntI7Rlk6bHJbchCDQV01cQsVqbE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7iJ2yvdPbAhVGrVkKHWbrClwQ6AEIRjAE#v=onepage&q=La%20Gazette%20Francoise%20hunter%20house&f=false
Hunter House
54 Washington St
Newport, Rhode Island
United States
41.492518, -71.321047
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Gravelly Point

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

The White Horse Tavern

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Grave of Ida Lewis

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newport

Newport

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Gravelly Point

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

The White Horse Tavern

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Grave of Ida Lewis

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newport

Newport

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Bullet fragments on display.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Museo Casa de Carranza

    The former Mexican president kept the bullets that killed his predecessor on display in his home, now a museum.

  • Exterior of the Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution

    Chihuahua, Mexico

    Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution

    The former home of the famed revolutionary Pancho Villa is now a museum in his honor.

  • Conference House, Staten Island, New York City.

    Staten Island, New York

    Conference House

    During the American Revolution, this mansion hosted failed peace talks between the British and Americans.

  • Hoggatt Cabin

    High Point, North Carolina

    Hoggatt House

    This colonial cabin is the oldest building in High Point, built by one of the first settlers in the area.

  • Casa de la Independencia exterior.

    Asunción, Paraguay

    Casa de la Independencia

    The fighters and conspirators that won independence for Paraguay held secret meetings at this historic house.

  • The foundations of the buildings that were at the center of the Salem witch trials in 1692.

    Danvers, Massachusetts

    Salem Village Parsonage

    Located just behind a quiet residential neighborhood, this is ground zero for the Salem witchcraft hysteria of 1692.

  • Gilbert Stuart House.

    North Kingstown, Rhode Island

    Gilbert Stuart Birthplace

    The idyllic colonial home of the artist behind the famous portraits of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

  • The Dyckman Farmhouse

    New York, New York

    Dyckman Farmhouse

    This Dutch Colonial home is the oldest remaining farmhouse in Manhattan.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.