Hearthside House Public Tours

On Sunday, August 14th visitors are invited to enjoy “The Decade That Roared:  A 1920s Rhode Island Experience” exhibit before it is taken down.  Tours of the three floors of the 200 year-old house include displays of informational panels and artifacts throughout as well as providing its history from guides wearing period costume. Tours take place between 1:00 and 3:00 with closing at 4 p.m. An $8 general admission is charged, $6 seniors; $4 ages 10-17 and children 9 and under free.

Hearthside has been noted as one of the finest examples of early 19th century federal-style houses in the state, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The unique 2 ½ story house is built of fieldstone,   which was rare in dwellings at that time. Its design includes a gable roof with impressive ogee curves above circular attic windows. There are 10 fireplaces in the 10-room home, hence the name ” Hearthside. ” Hearthside has become known as “The House That Love Built” because of the romantic history behind the building of this beautiful house by Stephen Hopkins Smith.

http://www.hearthsidehouse.org