Isaac Bell House

Isaac Bell House is a mansion in Newport featuring natural cedar shingles covering its exterior and displaying asymmetrical designs with extensive porches. The structure spans multiple levels with irregular rooflines and commanding views of the surroundings.

The building was completed in 1883 by the prominent architecture firm McKim, Mead & White for cotton merchant Isaac Bell Jr., who served as a U.S. ambassador. The project became a turning point in American residential design during the Gilded Age.

The residence reflects an American building approach that moved away from European traditions and responded to the coastal New England setting. The open porches and natural wood cladding reveal how residents wanted to connect with their surroundings.

Visitors can explore the house at their own pace using a free mobile application that provides audio guidance through personal headphones. The best time to visit is outside peak season, when crowds are smaller and exploration feels more relaxed.

The house was among the first expressions of the Shingle style, a brand new American approach that later influenced many other coastal residences. This style emerged from a desire to create less formal, more natural living spaces.