Overing House

Architecturally the Overing House, circa 1730, is built on what is often referred to as the ¾ house plan. Formal 18th century house builders strongly preferred a symmetrical plan with an equal number of windows on either side of the main entrance. Despite the fact that the Overing House is one of the grandest and most formal in the NRF collections, this rural house does not have the full balanced façade that would truly place it in the top rank of high style houses of its time period. The odd thing for this country house is that it is better described as a 2nd period (1725-1750) house. The scale inside and out is akin to the Hunter House in Newport. The main features are gambrel roof, interior chimney, high ceilings, excellent woodwork, and a comfortable stair hall. Mr. Overing built a rather grand country house compared to the efforts of Mr. Sweet whose house sits on the southern part of the property.