Linden Place facts for kids
Linden Place is a beautiful old house in Bristol, Rhode Island. It was built in 1810 by a wealthy merchant and ship owner named General George DeWolf. A famous architect, Russell Warren, designed it. Today, Linden Place is a museum where people can learn about its history.
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A Look at the Architecture
Linden Place is built in the Federal style. This style was very popular when the United States was a new country. It shows off the wealth of the DeWolf family. The design was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Linden Place has amazing features like large Palladian windows. These windows have a tall arch in the middle and two smaller rectangular windows on the sides. It also has tall, fluted Corinthian columns at the front entrance. These columns are decorated with vertical grooves and fancy tops. Later, a Gothic conservatory (a glass room for plants) and a four-story spiral staircase were added. These additions make the house even more special.
Stories of the DeWolf Family
When you visit Linden Place, you hear many stories about the DeWolf family. They were involved in shipping and trade, which made them very rich. Over time, they faced financial problems but managed to become wealthy again during the Victorian period. Important people lived here, like Samuel P. Colt. He was a businessman who started United States Rubber, which is now called Uniroyal. His mother, Theodora DeWolf Colt, also lived here. She was known for hosting grand parties and being a very important person in Bristol society. The famous actress Ethel Barrymore also became part of this family when she married into it. The mansion sits on almost two acres of gardens. These gardens have Greek statues and an old gazebo from the 1700s.
Saving Linden Place Today
Today, a non-profit group called the Friends of Linden Place takes care of the estate. This group was formed in 1989. They wanted to save the beautiful 1810 DeWolf mansion from being torn down or turned into new buildings. Thanks to many dedicated volunteers, this important historical building was saved. Now, it is kept open through visitors, fundraising events, grants, and memberships. It is truly a "crown jewel" of Bristol's historic waterfront.
Linden Place in Movies and Art
Linden Place has been featured in films. It was shown in Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, a 2008 documentary. This film explored the DeWolf family's history and how their wealth was made. The mansion was also used as a filming location for the 1974 movie The Great Gatsby. The Bristol Art Museum is located in the old carriage house at Linden Place. Its entrance is on Wardwell Street in Bristol.
Important People Who Lived Here
- Samuel P. Colt: A politician and businessman who passed away at Linden Place in 1921.
- Ethel Barrymore: A famous actress.
- Ethel Colt Miglietta: The daughter of Ethel Barrymore and Russell Colt, who was a singer.
More to Explore
- DeWolf family: Learn more about this important family.
