Aldrich Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian Oaks
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Main house
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| Location | 836 Warwick Neck Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 74.3 acres (30.1 ha) |
| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | Carrere & Hastings; Stone, Carpenter & Willson |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| MPS | Warwick MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000174 |
| Added to NRHP | August 18, 1983 |
The Aldrich Mansion is a large property built in the late 1800s. It has been owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence (a part of the Catholic Church) since 1939. You can find it by the beautiful Narragansett Bay in Warwick, Rhode Island.
This amazing estate was first called Indian Oaks. It was also known as the Senator Nelson W. Aldrich Estate. A powerful politician named Nelson W. Aldrich (1841–1915) started building it in 1899. He was a member of the Republican Party and was very important in Rhode Island politics back then.
The main house is a huge stone building designed in the French Renaissance style. It has very fancy decorations inside. Other buildings still on the property include a boathouse and a caretaker's house. The caretaker's house is across the street from the main estate. In 1939, Senator Aldrich's family sold the property to the Catholic Church. It was then used as a seminary, which is a school for priests. Today, the Aldrich Mansion is still owned by the Diocese of Providence. It is a popular place for weddings, parties, and business meetings. Sometimes, movies and TV shows are filmed there too!
The estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
What is the History of Aldrich Mansion?
The Aldrich Mansion was first built for Senator Nelson W. Aldrich of Rhode Island. His property was huge, covering over 225 acres. Building the estate began in 1896 and took about 16 years to finish.
In 1901, Senator Aldrich's daughter, Abby Aldrich, got married at the mansion. She married John D. Rockefeller Jr., who was part of a very famous and wealthy family.
In 1939, Senator Aldrich's family sold the mansion and about 100 acres of land to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. They sold it for around $75,000. From 1946 to 1983, a school called Our Lady of Providence Seminary was located at the Aldrich Mansion. In 1955, a large school building was built for the seminary. When the seminary moved, Bishop Hendricken High School used the property for its older students for ten years.
Today, the estate is about 72 acres. It includes the French-style mansion, a gatehouse, and large stables. There is also a boathouse, a big chapel, classrooms, dorms, a gym, and dining areas from the old seminary. The seminary moved to Providence several years ago. For almost 20 years, a Catholic boarding school for girls called Overbrook Academy also leased parts of the property.
You might have seen the mansion in the 1998 movie Meet Joe Black. It was the home of the character William Parrish in the film.
What is Aldrich Mansion Used For Today?
The Aldrich Mansion is still owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. It is a popular place for many events. People often hold wedding receptions and conferences there. It is also used for fundraising events. Sometimes, TV shows and movies are filmed at the mansion.
See Also
- Nelson W. Aldrich House, his primary residence in Providence
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Rhode Island
