Smith–Appleby House | |
Nearest City: | 220 Stillwater Road, Smithfield, Rhode Island |
Coordinates: | 41.9019°N -71.5183°W |
Built: | 1697 |
Architecture: | Colonial |
Added: | May 1, 1974 |
Refnum: | 74000005 |
The Smith–Appleby House Museum is a historic house museum in Smithfield, Rhode Island. It is now home to the Smithfield Historical Society.
Elisha Smith, a grandson of one of Rhode Island's co-founders, John Smith, "The Miller," built the original part of this house, a small stone-ender, in 1696.[1] The house was enlarged to a saltbox configuration c. 1713, adding chambers to the side and rear of the central chimney. Around 1750 the roof was raised on the rear section, giving the house the full -story height it has today.[2] Between then and 1830 the house underwent a number of further alterations and enlargements, including the c. 1800 attachment of a second house (hauled from Johnston) that nearly doubled its living space. The relocation of Stillwater Road in the 19th century as a consequence of the creation of Georgiaville Pond also resulted in a reconfiguration of the house, functionally reversing the front and rear.[1]
The original farm grounds contained mills and a blacksmith shop on 700acres.
The Smith–Appleby House Museum is open for tours during scheduled events, or tours may be arranged on request.