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Revolution House to Debut in Newport Summer 2015

Sunday, May 11, 2014

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

The Newport Historical Society’s research team is reinterpreting its traditional house museum, the circa 1697 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, into the Revolution House, Newport’s sole museum devoted to the American Revolution.

The new Revolution House will debut next summer in conjunction with the 250 anniversary of the Stamp Act Riot.

“We have found that our visitors are extremely interested in learning more about the American Revolution when they visit Newport. After all, in many ways, it all started here,” explains the Society’s Executive Director Ruth Taylor.

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Although well-known history celebrates the Boston Tea Party and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first episodes of armed resistance against the British happened right in Rhode Island on Narragansett Bay.

Stamp Act Riot

The Stamp Act Riot was the first in a series of events that eventually led to the Revolutionary War. Stamp Act Riots occurred in Boston and in Newport, among other cities. It was during a riot begun at the Colony House in August of 1765 that patriots sacked and attempted to tear down the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, then home to Martin Howard, loyalist and tax collector. The NHS will celebrate the Stamp Act riots this summer with a reenactor-led public “riot” on Saturday August 23, 2014, along with other programs.

Revolution House will provide a dedicated exhibit space to showcase the important role that Newport played in the build-up to and conduct of the Revolutionary War. Innovative exhibits and displays will be installed in the house, which will use artifacts and documents from the Society’s world-class collections. The property will fill a void in the current cultural offerings throughout Newport’s Old Quarter.

Read here to learn more about the house’s history and Newport’s role in the American Revolution

This tour season is the last opportunity for visitors to see the property as a conventional house museum.

The Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House is open for tours in May, November & December on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm; it’s open daily 11am-3pm June through October.

Tours cost $8 per person and are free for NHS members.

Related Slideshow: Newport’s Wyndham Estate in Photos

Wyndham Estate

Constructed in 1890, Wyndham Estate is a 2 1/2 story ashlar stone Baronial home designed by architect William Ralph Emerson, cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

History

Wyndham Estate celebrates its 125th anniversary next year. The mansion was designed and built for its original owner, Rose Anne Grosvenor, a philanthropist from Providence.

Room to Grow

The home boasts 12,175 square feet of living space, with 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and 9 fireplaces, on nearly 12 acres of property.

Bedrooms

With a spacious Master Bedroom, large circular Turret and East bedrooms, plus four guest bedrooms; hosting overnight guests is never likely to be problematic in this mansion.

* Master Bedroom - 22'8" by 14'

* Turret Bedroom - 17'10" circular

* East Bedroom - 17'2" by 17'5"

* Guest Bedroom - 12'4" by 11'6"

* Guest Bedroom - 18'6" by 14'10"

* Guest Bedroom - 11'3" by 11'3"

* Guest Bedroom - 12'5" by 8'2"

Location, Location...

Wyndham Estate lies in the heart of Newport, only one half mile from both the New York Yacht Club and Newport Country Club, and one mile from Fort Adams State Park.

Grand Ballroom

Whether it is a wedding, holiday party, or family function, Wyndham Estate's 1200 square foot Grand Ballroom makes for a perfect space for entertaining guests.

Music Room

Outfitted with beautiful artwork and a grand piano, the mansion's music room is a great place to hide away and tickle the ivories. In fact, at 475 square feet, you could probably fit most of an orchestra in this room.

On Top of the World

(Or top of the island, at least)

Wyndham Estate sits atop the highest point of Newport - and has the views to prove it.

Kitchen

Wyndham Estate boasts a large 320 square foot kitchen (with service area) on the first level, making for great dinner parties. There is an additional galley kitchen on the home's top level.

Landscape

The large, 11.76 acre property is well-manicured with several custom landscaping features including at three-tier waterfall with a private sitting area, and a manmade pond

Bathrooms

With 2 1/2 bathrooms on the first floor, and 4 on the second level, finding a place to quickly powder your nose will rarely be an issue.

Library

If you are looking for a quiet place to read or study, the mansion features a home library...try not to become distracted by the view.

Roof Deck

Perfect for summertime entertainment, the mansion features a 47' by 27' open air observation deck with stunning views.

Hot Tub

What better way to relax after a long day than climbing up to the 18' circular roof top hot tub?

Attention to Detail

When William Ralph Emerson designed Wyndham Estate, no detail was spared, evidenced by the intricate wood-carved moldings found throughout the mansion.

Renovation

Wyndham Estate underwent major renovation and restoration a few years ago, but much of the much of the home's original essence remains intact.

Walk-in Closet

More like live-in closet!

At 12'10" by11'10", the closet attached to the Master Bedroom is bigger than many bedrooms... no need to trim down your wardrobe here!

Grand Staircase

The mansion's Grand Staircase allows one to enter the room with style. There is also a separate servant's staircase to access the second floor.

Dining Room

Just off the Grand Ballroom sits the home's formal dining room, perfect for intimate dinners.

The Grounds

Wyndham Estate is comprised of three separate lots of record, with the mansion itself sitting on Lot B (4.05 Acres). Lots A and C are each just under 4 acres apiece.

Fireplaces

There is little better on a cold New England winter night than cozying up to a warm fire. Wyndham Estate, has 9 different fireplaces to choose from.

Newport Mansions

Newport is known for its landscape of mansions spanning from Ocean Drive to Bellevue Avenue. From Rosecliff to Vanderbilt's The Breakers, and dozens in-between, Newport has a rich history of wealth, and the lifestyle that comes with it.

Cliff Walk

Want to experience a different view of the Newport Mansions? Try the Newport Cliff Walk. The 3.5 mile long public access pathway pairs the beauty of the Newport coastline with some of the island's historic mansions -- including Beechwood, Rosecliff, Marble House, The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Rough Point

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