Governor Henry Lippitt House

Governor Henry Lippitt House is a three-story brick mansion with red sandstone accents, Corinthian columns, and ornate window treatments on its exterior. Inside, original gas lighting, stained glass, and detailed wall treatments create a fully intact Victorian home that shows how wealthy families lived.

The house was built between 1862 and 1865 when the family was already a leading textile business in Rhode Island. Governor Henry Lippitt shaped the region during his term from 1875 to 1877 with industrial and economic reforms.

The rooms display craftsmanship in marble, woodwork, and stained glass that shows the wealth of 19th-century textile manufacturers. These details tell the story of how business success connected to social standing in that era.

The mansion on Hope Street operates as a museum run by Preserve Rhode Island and offers guided tours through the original rooms. Visitors should allow time to look at interior details, since many small elements are easy to overlook on a quick walk.

Four generations of the family lived in this house and kept all the original features and furnishings without making major changes. This makes it a rare complete picture of Victorian family life from one family's point of view.

Location: Rhode Island

Email: lippitthouse@preserveri.org

Website: http://preserveri.org

GPS coordinates: 41.82806,-71.39778

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42