South Kingstown in Washington County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 17, 2026
1. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge Marker
In 1974, in honor of her husband Alfred Hudson Morse, Mrs. Ann Kneyon Morse donated 365 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, establishing Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.
In 1982, the Audobon Society of Rhode Island donated an additional 115 acres containing barrier beach habitat, an important nesting area for the threatened piping plover.
Today, the Refuge includes 787 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats that support migratory birds and a variety of other wildlife.
Together with volunteers and the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island, Refuge staff manage these habitats for wildlife, lead nature walks, and conduct environmental classes. For more information, please call 401/364-9124.
[Captions:]
The impressive courtship display of the American woodcock can be witnessed at the Refuge from late March to mid-April. Look closely at the photo…how many woodcock chicks do you see?
Trustom Pond is a 160-acre brackish coastal pond that serves as the centerpiece of the Refuge. It is the only coastal pond in Rhode Island without houses or other development along its shoreline.
Chuck Hayes/USFWS
Erected by Fish
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. 41° 22.983′ N, 71° 35.164′ W. Marker is in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in Washington County. It is on Farmer Loop Trail south of Matunuck School House Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1040 Matunuck School House Rd, Wakefield RI 02879, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Narragansett Bay and in South County. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Building a Legacy (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 17, 2026
2. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 17, 2026
5. Dedication plaque near the visitor center
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
