Historic Sites

Gray's Store in Adamsville, built in 1788, claims to be the oldest operating general store in the United States and is home to the town's first post office, founded in 1804. The store remains operated by Grayton Waite, a sixth-generation shop keeper, along with his son Jonah Waite.The nearby Rhode Island Red Chicken, the official state bird. This landmark was placed in Adamsville because of convenience - land had been donated on this corner, for the purpose of erecting the monument. The Rhode Island Red was actually originally bred closer to West Main Road, outside of the Village of Adamsville.

Another distinctive feature of the town is the "Spite Tower" found in the village. Local lore claims that the tower was constructed to obscure the line of sight of a town local. While most stories involve members of the local Manchester family, there is no consensus as to the true history of the structure. According to the present day owner of the building, the "Spite Tower" was built above an artesian well. There was a pump that brought the water to a holding tank on the third floor that sent water, via gravity feed, to main house's water tank to provide running water. The building was constructed circa 1905. The chauffeur's residence was on the second floor of the tower.