Architectural story:
The house was built in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts in stages beginning in 1721. The center, one-and-a-half-story gambrel roof section was built during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. The ell was added sometime later and around 1795, a small, two-story, two-bay section was built. Two primary heated rooms on the first floor have small, unheated rooms located in corners away from the chimney. The second floor, accessed by the original stairway, has two small bedchambers with sliding roof windows.
Restoration story:
In 1969, the house was threatened with imminent demolition. In the same year, NRF purchased the house, disassembled it, and stored it until a site in Newport could be determined. The structure was then restored on the Bridge Street site between 1974 -75.
The deteriorated condition of certain structural elements of the house in 1969 meant that only the center section and some some of the ell were moved to the new site. Much of the detail millwork was still in fine condition and these early trim materials, such as doors, fireplace surrounds, some board walls and simple paneling, remained with the building. Many of the main beams date to the period of early construction.
People story:
Henrietta “Hetty” Howland Robinson Green (1834-1916) was a descendent of the Howland family, who were early owners of the house. She was known as the “Queen of Wall Street” and was a successful—and infamous— businesswoman. At the time of her death, she was the richest woman in the world and her worth is estimated at about $2.5 billion in today’s dollars.
We are looking forward to uncovering more about the history of this house and the people who lived and worked here.
Learn more about this story: https://historicwomensouthcoast.org/hetty-green/
