Francis Malbone House

The Francis Malbone House is a three-story brick building on Thames Street designed with classical Georgian details. Inside, the rooms feature a grand central hall, curved arches, a Palladian window, and intricate wood paneling throughout.

The house was built in 1760 by architect Peter Harrison for merchant Colonel Francis Malbone. During the American Revolution, British forces used the building to store supplies and equipment.

The house is named after a prominent merchant family whose business dealings shaped Newport's economy in the 1700s. Visitors walk through rooms that reflect how the city's wealthy residents lived and conducted their affairs.

The building now operates as a boutique hotel with eighteen guest rooms and updated bathrooms throughout. Since it is a historic structure, visitors should expect some rooms to have narrow layouts and original period features alongside modern additions.

The cellar contains tunnel passages that reportedly connected to the harbor and were used by the original owner to move merchandise. These underground corridors reflect how wealthy merchants of that era sought private routes for their trading activities.