Governor Stephen Hopkins House facts for kids
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Governor Stephen Hopkins House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1708 |
| Part of | College Hill Historic District (ID70000019) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000022 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1978 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 10, 1970 |
The Governor Stephen Hopkins House is a special museum located at 15 Hopkins Street in Providence, Rhode Island. It's known as a National Historic Landmark. This house was once the home of Stephen Hopkins. He was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and a very important person. He even signed the Declaration of Independence!
Contents
What Does the House Look Like?
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The Stephen Hopkins House has an L-shape. It is a 2½-story building made of wood. The main part of the house was built in 1742–43 for Stephen Hopkins. There's also a two-story section attached to it. The first floor of this attached part dates back to 1707.
The main part of the house is four windows wide and two windows deep. The front door you see today was added in the 1900s. The original main entrance was actually on the side of the attached section.
Inside the main part, you'll find a main living room on the right. On the left is Governor Hopkins' study, where he worked. A hallway with stairs runs between these rooms. Behind the living room is a "keeping room," and a small bedroom is behind the study. Upstairs, there are five bedrooms. Two of these bedrooms have fireplaces. The fireplaces downstairs have fancy wood panels around them.
A Look Back: History of the House
Stephen Hopkins bought the original house in 1742. He then made it much bigger, to the size it is today. This house was his home until he passed away in 1785. During his time living here, he did many important things. He worked in the colonial assembly. He was also a judge in the colonial high court. From 1755 to 1757, he served as the governor of the Colony of Rhode Island. This house is the only important building still standing that is connected to Stephen Hopkins' life.
Famous Visitors to the House
A very famous person visited this house on April 5, 1776. It was George Washington! He was traveling through Providence. He was on his way to take command of the Continental Army in Boston. Stephen Hopkins was in Philadelphia at the time. He was attending the Continental Congress. So, Hopkins' daughter entertained George Washington during his visit.
Moving the House Around
The house wasn't always in the same spot. It was first built on the corner of South Main Street and Hopkins Street. In 1809, it was moved halfway up the north side of Hopkins Street. Then, in 1928, it was moved again. Its current location is on the south side of Hopkins Street.
The House Today
In the late 1920s, the house was carefully fixed up. This work was done by Norman Isham. Today, the house is owned by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Their local group manages it. Before March 2020, it was open to the public as a museum. However, there are no plans right now for it to reopen. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
Gallery
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This picture shows the house before it was moved to its current spot.
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This is the NRHP plaque on the outside of the house.
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This shows the back of the house and the garden area.
See also
In Spanish: Casa del gobernador Stephen Hopkins para niños
