List of the oldest buildings in Rhode Island


This article attempts to list the oldest buildings in the state of Rhode Island in the United States of America, including the oldest houses in Rhode Island and any other surviving structures. Some dates are approximate and based on architectural studies and historical records, other dates are based on dendrochronology. All entries should include citation with reference to: architectural features; a report by an architectural historian; or dendrochronology.
Very few Rhode Island buildings have been tested yet using dendrochronology, and most buildings outside of Aquidneck Island were burned in King Philip's War in the 1670s. The oldest building in Rhode Island tested using dendrochronology was the Clemence-Irons House in Johnston, although the Lucas–Johnston House in Newport holds some timbers which were felled prior to 1650, but likely reused from an earlier building.

List

BuildingLocationFirst BuiltNotes
Governor Peleg Sanford HouseNewport, Rhode Islandca. 1640s-1701one of the oldest buildings in Newport, and constructed before the death of Gov. Sanford in 1701 Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
White Horse Tavern Newport, Rhode Island1652/1673Oldest tavern in America, originally built in 1652 as a residence and expanded into a tavern in 1673, likely including parts of the original structure Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Stephen Northup HouseNorth Kingstown, Rhode Islandc. 1660–1661 possibly burned during King Philip's War in the 1670s and rebuilt, later modifications 1712, 1850, 2004. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Newport Tower Newport, Rhode Islandc. 1670 or pre-1492Speculated to be a Viking structure or colonial windmill. No roof or floors since the mid-18th century. Radiocarbon dating tests of the tower's mortar suggest a probable date of production of the mortar between 1635 and 1698.
Philip Sherman HousePortsmouth, Rhode Islandc. 1670House of one of the founders of Portsmouth, RI. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Thomas Fenner HouseCranston, Rhode Island1677early stone ender. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Edward Searle HouseCranston, Rhode Island1670–1720early stone ender. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Capt. John Mawdsley HouseNewport, Rhode Islandc. 1677–1680with a large 18th-century modification. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Smith's CastleWickford, Rhode Island1678house museum, site of Roger Williams trading post, National Historic Landmark. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Clement Weaver HouseEast Greenwich, Rhode Island1679early stone ender. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
John Bliss HouseNewport, Rhode Islandc. 1680early stone ender
Forge FarmWarwick, Rhode Island1684oldest part of house dates to 1684. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Daggett HousePawtucket, Rhode Island1685oldest house in Pawtucket. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Gorton-Greene HouseWarwick, Rhode Island1685Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Palmer-Northrup HouseNorth Kingstown, Rhode Islandc. 1685Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
HopelandsWarwick, Rhode Islandc. 1686western ell of building, dates to 1686, now part of Rocky Hill School. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Peleg Arnold TavernNorth Smithfield, Rhode Islandc. 1690home of Peleg Arnold. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Wilbor HouseLittle Compton, Rhode Island1690oldest house in Little Compton. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Clemence-Irons HouseJohnston, Rhode Island1691primitive stone ender, oldest house in Rhode Island, which has been dated using dendrochronology, in 2005.
Samuel Clarke House and FarmKenyon, Rhode Island1691Retains original exterior wide oak weatherboards – on the north side, early 18th-century window sash and frames, a granite central chimney with four fireplaces and original period interior architectural detail. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Eleazer Arnold HouseLincoln, Rhode Islandc. 1693National Historic Landmark; Dated using dendrochronology in 2005.
Valentine Whitman HouseLincoln, Rhode Island1694early stone ender. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Smith-Appleby HouseSmithfield, Rhode Island1696House Museum. Not tested yet using dendrochronology.
Wanton-Lyman-Hazard HouseNewport, Rhode Island1697One of the oldest houses in Newport, currently a museum. Dated using dendrochronology in 2005.
Great Friends Meeting HouseNewport, Rhode Island1699Quaker Meeting House, oldest surviving church building in Rhode Island. Dated to 1699 using dendrochronology.
Portsmouth Friends Meetinghouse Parsonage and CemeteryPortsmouth, Rhode Island1699–1700Quaker Meeting House, original site of Moses Brown School, likely oldest church building in RI used continuously as a church.
Samuel E. Perry HouseSouth Kingstown, RI1696–1716. Foundation purportedly dates from 1661.Private home located on Matunuck Schoolhouse Rd
Nathaniel Daggett HouseEast Providence, Rhode Islandca. 1700Likely oldest house in East Providence
Perry-Carpenter Grist MillSouth Kingstown, Rhode Island1703Located in Matunuck
Six Principle Baptist ChurchNorth Kingstown, Rhode Island1703oldest Baptist church building in RI, possibly oldest Baptist church building in the U.S.
Saylesville MeetinghouseLincoln, Rhode Island1704Possibly oldest church building in Providence County, RI
Old Narragansett ChurchWickford, Rhode Island1707oldest surviving colonial Episcopal church in Northern USA
Dr. Charles Cotton HouseNewport, RIc. 1720Dr. Charles Cotton, a great-grandson of Josiah Cotton and surgeon aboard the USS Constitution, owned the house in the early 19th century.
Peter Greene HouseWarwick, Rhode Islandc. 1720–1750-
Henry Palmer HouseSouth Kingstown, RI1721Private home in East Matunuck. Located on Old Succotash Rd.
Carr-LeValley HouseWest Warwick, Rhode Island1722Possibly oldest building in West Warwick, RI
Phillip Walker HouseEast Providence, Rhode Island1724Research site used by Roger Williams University. Dated to 1724 using tree ring dendrochronology.
Trinity Episcopal ChurchNewport, Rhode Island1726Oldest Parish in Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island
Captain John Warren HouseNewport, Rhode Island1737French Navy Artillery Headquarters 1780–1781
Gilbert Stuart BirthplaceSaunderstown, RI1750Birthplace of Gilbert Stuart, one of 18th-century America's most noted master portrait artists. Stuart is best known for his unfinished Athenaeum portrait of George Washington.
Willow Dell South Kingstown, RI1753Located in Matunuck
Rocky Meadows Farm HouseSouth Kingstown, RI1754Rumored to have been a tavern. Private home located on Old Post Road The farm land is now protected by the South Kingstown Land Trust.
Henry Marchant HouseSouth Kingstown, RIpre 1760Located off of South County Trail. Henry Marchant was Rhode Island's Attorney General from 1771 to 1777. Between 1777 and 1780, he represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress. After the Revolution, Marchant served in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Touro SynagogueNewport, Rhode Island1759–1763Oldest surviving synagogue building in the United States
Prudence Island LightPortsmouth
1824Oldest lighthouse tower in Rhode Island; Moved from original location on Goat Island in Newport to Prudence Island at a later date
Poplar Point LightNorth Kingstown1832Oldest wooden lighthouse tower still standing in the United States

Destroyed early Rhode Island buildings