Gilbert Stuart Birthplace facts for kids
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Gilbert Stuart Birthplace
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The house in 2015
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| Location | 815 Gilbert Stuart Road, Saunderstown, Rhode Island |
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| Nearest city | Newport |
| Built | 1751 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000004 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
Welcome to the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum in Saunderstown, Rhode Island! This special place is where Gilbert Stuart, a very famous American painter, was born on December 3, 1755. He lived here in this old house, built in 1751. Today, the museum shows you what life was like back then. You can explore the house, see working mills, walk nature trails, and visit an art gallery. The gallery features amazing paintings by Gilbert Stuart and his daughter, Jane Stuart.
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The Story of Gilbert Stuart's Home
The house where Gilbert Stuart was born was built in 1751. Gilbert lived there for his first six years. His father ran a business in the basement. It was a water-powered snuff mill. Here, he ground dried tobacco leaves into a fine powder called snuff. This was actually the first snuff mill in America! When Gilbert was six, his family moved to Newport, Rhode Island.
Restoring a Colonial Home
Over time, the house became a private home. The original snuff mill and its water wheel were lost. In 1930, experts carefully restored the building to look like it did in colonial times. It opened as a museum in 1931. Many of the house's original wooden walls and beams are still there. It also has its four original fireplaces, one in each room.
During the restoration, an old English snuff mill from the 1730s was brought to the property. It looks just like the original mill. A new water wheel was also built. It uses water power from Pausacaco Pond (also called Carr Pond) to make the mill work.
The Grist Mill's Revival
An original colonial gristmill was built nearby in 1757. It was owned by Benjamin Hammond. This mill also had a water wheel. For many years, the gristmill didn't work. But in 2007, its water wheel was reconnected to the gears. Now, it can grind grain again!
The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Exploring the Museum
The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace offers tours from May to mid-October. You can take a guided tour with a helper or explore on your own. The house is filled with furniture from the colonial era. While none of the furniture belonged to Gilbert Stuart's family, it shows how people lived back then.
Famous Paintings on Display
Each room also has copies of Gilbert Stuart's most famous paintings. These include the well-known Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington. You might recognize it from the one-dollar bill! Other famous works include The Skater, Dr. Hunter's Spaniels, John Jay, and Catherine Brass Yates.
On the tours, you can see the mills working. You'll learn about the fish ladder and hear stories about Gilbert Stuart's life and art. You'll also discover interesting facts about colonial furniture and objects.
Beautiful Grounds and Nature
The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace sits on 23 acres of land. The museum has nature trails for visitors to explore. These trails lead to an old colonial burial ground, the Benjamin Hammond cemetery. You can also find a scenic view of Carr Pond. The trails even show you the remains of an old fulling mill.
The grounds also feature a lovely herb garden. There's a timber dam and a boat dock. Museum members can rent rowboats from the dock to use on nearby Carr Pond.
Bell Art Gallery
The museum's art gallery, built in 2014, displays original works by Gilbert Stuart. It also features portraits of Gilbert painted by his daughter, Jane Stuart. Besides Gilbert Stuart's art, the gallery shows works by other talented Rhode Island artists. Past exhibits have included "Jane Stuart: Heir to Genius" in 2016. In 2018, there was "Edward Mitchell Bannister: 'My Greatest Successes Have Come Through Her'". The gallery also featured "Mabel May Woodward: Chasing the Summer's Day" in 2022. Most recently, in 2023, it hosted "Soul of the Sitter: Contemporary Portraiture in Rhode Island".
Images for kids
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Gilbert Stuart Birthplace in March 2018
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Birthplace sign
See also
