Benjamin Howland House   -   circa 1720 

The Howland House was built in three stages.  The center, one-and-a-half story gambrel-roofed section was built during the first quarter of the 18th century, the ell was added sometime later and finally, around 1795, a small, two-story, two bay section was built.

The Benjamin Howland House is one of ten buildings either moved to or reassembled in Newport from locations outside of Newport proper.  In the history of the NRF, eight buildings originally from locations off Aquidneck Island (on which the city of Newport is located) were reassembled by NRF in Newport.  Two others – one from Middletown and one from Portsmouth (both located on Aquidneck Island) - were also reassembled in Newport.  The latter two, although from the same island as Newport, reflect a more rural style than the urban architecture found in the thriving seaport town of 18th century Newport.

The Howland House came from Dartmouth, Massachusetts where, in 1969, it was threatened with imminent demolition by the property owner.  The Newport Restoration Foundation purchased the house that same year, disassembled it, and rebuilt it in 1974 when the current Bridge Street site became available.

The deteriorated condition of some of the structural elements of the house as it stood in 1969 dictated that the center section, as well as some of the ell, was all that could reasonably survive disassembly.  Much of the detailing, however, was still in fine condition and these original trim materials remained with the building - doors, fireplace surrounds, some board walls and simple paneling.  Many of the original main beams are also still in the house. 

Two primary heated rooms are on the first floor with small unheated rooms in corners away from the chimney.  The second floor, accessed by the original steep stairway, has two small bedchambers with interesting sliding roof windows.  It is not known for certain whether these are original, but they are a very early feature.

The Benjamin Howland House originally stood in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  The Newport Restoration Foundation purchased the house in 1969 and restored it on the Bridge Street site in 1974-75.