Gen. James Mitchell Varnum House, Georgian mansion in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
The General James Mitchell Varnum House is a Georgian mansion in East Greenwich with a hipped roof, decorative cornices, and a central entrance doorway featuring fluted Ionic columns. The building stands on Peirce Street and displays typical features of colonial architecture from this region.
General Varnum acquired the land in 1773 and had this house built near the Kent County Courthouse, where colonial leaders gathered for important meetings. The structure was completed during a period when the region was developing politically and economically.
The house is named after General James Mitchell Varnum, who made it his residence and shaped its story through his life here. Visitors can observe how the family lived during that period and what objects were part of their everyday routines.
The house is maintained by the Varnum Continentals and features exhibits with objects from different time periods. A traditional herb garden with medicinal and household plants is also present and demonstrates historical gardening practices.
The collection includes an 18th-century pianoforte made by William Frecker of London and Chinese punch bowls that were gifts from General Lafayette. These rare objects reveal the family's international connections and their social standing during the early republic period.
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