William Watts Sherman House

The William Watts Sherman House is a two-and-a-half-story mansion that combines granite walls, brick facades, wooden shingles, and half-timbered stucco, topped with five large red brick chimneys. The structure uses multiple materials and textures that create a visually intricate design.

The mansion was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1875 for banker William Watts Sherman and his wife Annie Derby Rodgers Wetmore. It established a new architectural approach that quickly became the standard for coastal homes throughout late 19th-century New England.

The residence blends medieval, Renaissance, and Colonial design elements in a way that shaped how Newport's homes would look in the years that followed. Visitors can see how these different styles were combined into something new and influential for the area.

The building is located at 2 Shepard Avenue and has served as a dormitory for Salve Regina University students since 1982. Keep in mind that this is an active residential building, so visits may be limited or available only at certain times.

The residence is considered the prototype for Shingle Style architecture, a design approach that quickly spread along New England coastal regions. Many homes built during that era copied the design features that were first combined here.

Location: Newport

Architects: Henry Hobson Richardson

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture in the United States

GPS coordinates: 41.47000,-71.30500

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44