John Brown House (Providence, Rhode Island) facts for kids
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John Brown House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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The building in 2020
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | 52 Power St., Providence, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1786/1788 |
| Architect | Joseph Brown |
| Architectural style | late-Georgian (Federal) |
| Part of | College Hill Historic District (ID70000019) |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000007 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 10, 1970 |
The John Brown House is a famous historic home in Providence, Rhode Island. It is located on College Hill, right next to Brown University. This grand house was finished in 1788. It was the very first mansion built in Providence.
The house is named after its first owner, John Brown. He was an important person in Rhode Island history. John Brown was a leader in politics, a successful businessman, and helped start Brown University. He was also involved in the slave trade. In 1968, the John Brown House was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history.
One American president, John Quincy Adams, once said it was "the most magnificent and elegant private mansion that I have ever seen on this continent."
Contents
History of the John Brown House
Who Designed and Built It?
John Brown's brother, Joseph Brown, designed this amazing house. Joseph was not a professional architect, but he was very talented. He also designed the First Baptist Church in America. The John Brown House was built between 1786 and 1788.
Famous Visitors and Owners
Many important people visited the house when John Brown lived there. One famous guest was George Washington, the first president of the United States. He is said to have visited for tea. John Brown admired Washington greatly. He even designed his house to look a bit like Washington's home, Mount Vernon. One room in the house has a painting of Washington's first inauguration. The carriage house still holds a special carriage that John Brown owned. People say George Washington used this carriage during a visit to Providence.
In 1901, a rich industrialist and banker named Marsden J. Perry bought the house. He updated it with modern bathrooms and central heating. Later, in 1936, John Nicholas Brown purchased the house.
Becoming a Museum
In 1942, the Brown family gave the house to the Rhode Island Historical Society. They wanted to make sure it would be preserved for everyone to enjoy. The society worked to restore the house to how it looked in colonial times. Today, the museum has many original pieces of furniture from the Brown family.
Events at the John Brown House
The beautiful lawn of the John Brown House is a popular spot for events. The Rhode Island Historical Society hosts its yearly summer concert series here. It's called "Concerts Under the Elms." These concerts feature many local musicians. You can hear different types of music, from Big Band to Latin Jazz and folk. Local food trucks are also there, offering tasty meals.
What the John Brown House Looks Like
Outside the Mansion
The John Brown House is a three-story building made of brick. It has a special roof that is sloped on the sides and flat on top. Both the main roof and the flat part have a low fence-like railing around them. Four chimneys rise from the sides of the house. The main entrance is in the middle of the front, sticking out a bit. It has a small triangular shape above it. A porch with strong sandstone columns protects the entrance. Above this porch, there is a large, fancy window with three parts.
Inside the Mansion
The inside of the house follows a classic Georgian style. There is a wide hallway in the center. Two rooms are on each side of this hallway. The central hall is very grand. It has columns that support decorative busts, which are sculptures of heads and shoulders. The staircase has two parts and a beautiful, twisting railing. All the main rooms have detailed wooden decorations. Eleven of the twelve fireplaces in the house still have their original mantelpieces.
Gallery
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The house photographed in 1906
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The building's facade in 2020
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These busts, representing summer and winter, were reportedly taken from Versailles during the French Revolution
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A plaque in front of the building was updated by the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society to reflect John Brown's involvement in the slave trade
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See also
In Spanish: Casa John Brown (Providence) para niños
