Form No. 10-300 Rev, 10-74

UN lIED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM

NAMEHISTORIC

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NA TIONAL REGISTER FORMS

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TYPE ALL ENTRIES --COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS

Babcock HouseAND/OR COMMON

Whistling Chimneys

LOCATIONSTREET& NUMBER

Main St., Quonochontaug FOR PUOLICATIONCITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Charlestown 2 Edward BeardSTATE CODE COUNTY CODE

Rhode Island 44 Washington 009

CLASSIFICATION

CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USEXOCCUPIED AGRICULTURE

LBUILDINGCS} XPRIVATE COMMERCIAL

IN PROGRESS PRIVATE RESIDENCEPUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE .ENTERTAINMENT

PROCESS RESTRICTED

CONSIDERED ...,YES: UNRESTRICTED

.XNO

OWNER OF PROPERTY- NAME

Mrs. Harold BrownSTREET& NUMBER

Main Street, QuonochontaugCITY. TOWN STATE.

Charlestown Rhode Island 44LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION :-

HESTRYOFDEEDS,ETC. Town. Hall, Town of CharlestownSTREET & NUMBER

Route 2CITY. TOWN STATE

Charlestown Rhode Island 44

REPRESENTATION INEXISTING SURVEYSTITLE Survey of Rhode Island Architecture, National Society of

Colonial Dames in Rhode IslandDATE

1932 - FEDERAL -STATE ,_COUNTY XIOCAI

SURVEYRCOflDS Rhode Island Historical Society LibraryCITY. TOWN STATE

Providence Rhode Island

‘F

LI.’..

‘DESCRIPTION.

CONDITION CHECK ONE CHECK ONE......EXCELLENT ......DETERIORATED ......UNALTEREO .ORIGINAL SITEX.G000 _RUINS ALTERED ......MOVED DATE________ ‘ -

_FAIR ......UNEXPOSED

DESCRIBETHE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL IF KNOWN,PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The Babcock House, commonly called "Whistling Chimneys,"is presentlya two-and-a-half story, gableroofed building offive bays with a framed center door and a large’central stoneand brick chimney. The structure is covered with naturallystained wooden shingles and white painted wooden trim. It faces‘south, with Quonochontaug Pond immediately to the west.

Structurally, the house has been enlarged on several occasions,all within this century; but the original sections of the

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building remain -relatively unchanged on the interior. As built,the original house consisted of a two-and-a-half story, three-bay, gabled unit to the east of the central chimney and a story-and-a-half gabled ell extending to the west. The massive chimney,serving three rooms on the ground floor and one chamber above,is constructed of stone in the basement and first level and of .- -.

brick in the second story and’attic. The foundations of thebuilding are a local granite with a full basementbeneath theeastern half of the house. Within, exposed and cased corner

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posts are seen throughout thehouse, and summer beams and platesare visible in the two main rooms of the ground floor. Loweredceilings conceal the plates in other rooms.

Fenestration in the Babcock House is extremely irregularand shows many changes. Four narrow four-over-four windows onthe west side of the house, two on the third floor and two inthe west wall of the keeping room, appear to be original. Aglazed cupboard in the southwest parlor also shows original or

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early glass. A complex molded cornice breaks forward at eachof the second story windows on the south facade.

The present owner, Mrs. Harold Brown, placed a bay windowabove the front door, a horizontal group of three connectedwindows on the western half’of the south -facade, first floor, Hand added one double-window dormer on the south and two on thenorth in the early 1950’s. In the early 19th century an en-trance door was added on the east facade, replacing the lowerright window there. - .

The entrance door, slightly off center on the southfacade, is a framed four-panel door with a horizontal group ofthree transom lights at the top. Within, the entry includes astairway which rises against the chimney in three runs. Ithas square posts and flat balusters sawn out in a modified "S"pattern. From the second to the third garret level, thebalusters are straight. The string of,thestairs is enclosedby fine raised paneling on the first level and simple vertical

see continuation sheet 1

F’ 11111 No ID 300a

IUO/. 1O.’i4

UN1II:I SIAFES IEI’,AR’I’MLN’i Oil lit: IN’iFRiOi& FOR NPS USE ONLYNATIONAL PARK SERVICE - -

RECEIVED

NATIONAL REGiSTER OF HISTORIC PLACES - - -

INVENTORY-- NOMINATION FORM ENTERED

CONTI NUATION SHEET 1 ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 2

sheathing above. A raised one-over-one panel door conceals thebasement stairs immediately below. Peg molding and corner postswith a boldly beaded edge are also seen in the entry stairhall.

To the left of the entry, the keeping room is dominated bya large stone fireplace built of 8"-lO" square granite blocks.A brick beehive oven is built into the right rear of the ‘fireplace; the lintel is a 10" x 4" chestnut beam. A granite hearthextends 2½’ into the room. There is a later narrow mantel shelfand exposed stone above. The corner posts, plates, and summerbeam have beenrestored and painted, and modern rafters havebeen added where the originals were removed. A corner cupboardwith raised panel doors is located in the southwest corner ofthe room. A series of scalloped shelves are located behind thedoor of the upper half and the corner post can be seen at theback. Original wrought iron "H" hinges are used on the cornercupboard, and strap and YHL" hinges can also be seen throughoutthe house. A complex cornice molding across the top of thecorner cupboard corresponds to the width of the plate. Theoriginal wide oak floor boards remain unpainted in this room.

On the opposite side of the chimney from the keeping roomis located the main parlor, distinguished by an elaboratelypanelled chimney wall. A 30’x 40" stone fireplace has beenfilled in by an early nineteenth century Franklin stove. Thehearth is constructed of 7" square bricks, thought to have beenimported as ballast due to theE- unusual shape. The fireplaceopening is delineated by a bolection molding. An elaborateraised panel wall extends from floor to ceiling and 32" to theleft and right of the bolection molding, thus abutting the north-west corner post in the room. Centered in the north wall of theroom, a built-in-cupboard is flanked b.y two four-panel doorsleading into the rear chambers. The upper half of the ‘cupboardhas a twelve-pane glazed door attached by original "HL" hinges.Below, there is a door of two vertical, raised panels. Asthroughout the house, the three parlor doors are raised four-panel units; wooden latches and latch strings have beenrestoredin all rooms. The windows have beenchanged, but moderntwelve-over-twelve sash has been installed by the present owner. -

See continuation Shhet 2

For-In No. 1 0’300aRev, 10-741

UNI’I’I.I STAll’S II’.I.-R IMkNI UI’] I-IL IN’I’LIIOPNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGiSTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM

ground floor ofof the house. Tand has been altroom’s east windroom, directlyto the keepingthis room was aand attached toThis northwestto that in thearound the firenice of complexthis woodwork.the left of theThe flooring he

the orighe roomered inow by a

north ofroom. Onccommoda tthe ‘orig

chamber iparlor buplace and

si 1 houetA singlechimney

re is of

story gable areaner is the smallerlacement of the

The second bed-and is connectedtional length ofkeeping roomy section.

breast similar

bf: this main

See continuation Sheet 3

r

-.

I.

I’.

CONTINUATION SHEEr 2

FOR NPS USE ON LV

RECEIVED

LPATE ENTERED

3ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE

Two small rooms, presumably bed chambers, complete the1 two-and-a-halfthe northeast corracter by the repor entrance door.chimney, is longer

exterior, the addiy a leanto from the

two-and-a-half storcorated by a chimney

I nainchama]the

theed bi na 1s det smaller inpaneled wall

te. All painraised panel

breast panel ipine.

On the second

scale. A bolection moldingis completed by. a cor

t has been removed fromof chair rail height to

is unique to this room.

floor, thehouse reproducesa fireplace surrin scale by onepink granite 1 inbricks are alsoposts are exposethe plates have

thatoundthirdtel iusedd butbeen

of the floor belvery similar to t

The fireplacenset by two smallfor the hearth inthe summer beam,

concealed by the

plan of the eastern section oow. The main chamberhat of the parlor butis built of brick witblocks of wood. Squthis room. The cornrunning east and wes

lowered ceiling.

f thehasreduced

haareert, and

To the north, two small bedrooms open offchamber. The western room of the two was also connmain stairway by a narrow passageway running alongside of the chimney. Around 1900, the house was enraising the roof of the western ell and inserting afloor. That new area now contains two bedrooms andway for the house. The attic area was left unfinisprobably used as a sleeping loft. One interestingthe attic is a smoke oven built into the fireplace

leanopentwenthe

A nineteenth centuto porch on the nor

porch across the ftieth century the 1double level porch

ected to thethe westernlarged byfull seconda rear stair-

hed but wasfeature ofat this level.

shows an opena two-storyIn the early

kitchen anda glassed-in

porch on the west end

ry photograph of the houseth side of the west ell andront south of the house.eanto was converted into awas removed. Subsequently,

of the keeping room, and a utility room

Fo;’n No 10-300aRev, 10-741

t,HI’I’Ll S’l’A’l’liS LIi.J’AIl’MLNI OF’l III INILkIOltNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HI STORIC PLACESINVENTORY-- NOMINATION FORM

ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 1

and mud room to the north have been added.

Although the presentchanged from the originalfinishing remain relativesurrounded by substantialagricultural environment.adjacent to the house also

structure on the exteriorformation, the interior s

ly unaltered. The house iacreage which maintains i

The stone walls dividingsuggest the farming funct

floe &o &a1

CONTI NUATION SHEET

FOR NPS USE ON LV

RECEIVED ‘

DATE ENTERED

3

I -

I -

I’. -is greatlypaces and5 stillts earlythe areaions.

S.-..

1

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SIGNIFICANCE

PERIOD ‘ AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE--CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW

_PREHI5TORIC _ARCHEULuGY-PREHI5T0RIC COMMuNITY PLANNING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGJON

400-1499 .,..,ARCHEOLOGY.HISTOHIC _CONSERVATION .,,,LAW _SCIENCE

500-1599 X.AGRICuLTUHE _ECONOMICS _LITERATURE _5CLJLPTURE

_1600-1599 ,XARCI-IITECT0RE EDUCATION _MILITARY ‘ _SOCIALJHUMANITARIAN,X1700-1799 _ART ,.._ENGINEERING _MuSIC * _THEATERJS1800-1899 _COMMERCE _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT - _PHILOSOPF4Y _TRAN-SPQATATI0N,41 900- _COMMuNICATIONS _INDLSTRV _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT ._.OTHER SPECIFY

..JNVENTION -

SPECIFIC DATES ‘ BUILDER/ARCHITECT

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

No definite information has been uncovered to determine thedate of construction or original builder of the house. It islocated on an area of land known as Quonochontaug Neck which hasbeen developed as a summer resort colony. Originally, however,the land was owned by the Stanton family, and it is logical toassume the house was built by them. Because of the house’s closeproximity to the water, it has been posited that the house wasbuilt there to serve as a trading post. Thomas Stanton, founderof the family in this area, ran a trading post in nearby Stonington,Connecticut. - -

In plan and original design, this house closely resembles- theSheffield House, thought to have been built by Joseph Stanton sometime between 1685 and 1713 and located less than- a mile to the easton Quonochontaug Neck. Both structures were originally composedof a central chimney, a one-story gabled ell to the left and alarger unit on the right.* The Babcock House, despite its extensiveadditions, maintains the high quality of its interior finish.

- The -chimney and stair organization and panelling are all excellentexamples of characteristic local architecture. The siting of thehouse and the property attached to it enhance the Babcock House’ssignificance as a physical reminder of Rhode Island’s earlyagricultural development.

*This combination of two sections built at the same time, ofdiffering heights and proportions on either .side of a chimney whichthus becomescentral, is an unusual plan formation found in RhodeIsland in a number of early "South County" structures.

- MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCESThe National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of

Old Houses’ in

GEOGRAPHICAL DATAACREAGE OF NOMIItJATED PROPERTY approximately SJIM REFERENCES

Al 119 I 121 7,31 017101 I 415L 79j 5 0J Al r I I I I IZONE EASTING NORTHING ZONE EASTING NORTHING

cI I 11111111 I I L,] D[II 1111 1111 I I‘

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION

LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES

STATE CODE COUNTY ‘ CODE

STATE CODE COUNTY CODE

FORM PREPARED BY -

NAME / TITLE

Keith Morgan, Chief of Curatorial Services September 22, 1975 ,

ORGANIZATION DATE

R. I. Historical Preservation Comm., 150 Benefit St. 401 277-2678STREET& NUMBER - TELEPHONE

Providence, Rhode IslandCITY OR TOWN STATE -

ESTATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATIONTHE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS:

NATIONAL_ STATE<’ LOCAL_

As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Aut of 1966 Public Law 89-6651

L

-- -

Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.County of Rhode Island. Boston: B. D. Updike, 1932.

the South

hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to thecriteria and procedures set Forth by the National Park Service.

FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE

TITLE State Historic Preservation Officer DATE October 29, 1975

FbRNPSUSEONLY -

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER- ‘ - -

- - - - - - - DATE

-

-

OIFICTOR. OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION -

ATTEST: -- - DATE - -

KEEPER OFTHE NATIONAL REGISTER - -

CL

* ía. 0 Nc. tO 31IOa

Rev 10- 741

IJNI’I’I:I S’I,’I’I-,S ‘,FAR’IMFN’I’OF’I’IIF IN’I’ERIH- FOR NPS USE ONLY

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

RECEIVED

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM IQTE ENTERED

CONTINUATION SHEET /4 ITEM NUMBER 9 PAGE 5

Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island. Chicago:J. H. Beers & Co., 1908.

Stanton, Will ian A. A Record, Genealogical, Biographical andStatistical of Thomas Stanton of Connecticut and His Descendants,1635-1891 . Albany: Joel Mun sell’ s Sons, 1891

1’ -

L

Form No, IO-3OlaRev, 10-74

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLYNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECIEVED

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM -

-

- DATE ENTERED

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NA TIONAL REGISTER FORMSTYPE ALL ENTRIES-- ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH

NAME , -

HISTORIC Babcock House

AND/OR CO n°istli Chimneys

0 LOCATIONcIT’t TOWN Charlestown

.

OF STATERhOde Island COUNTY Washingtun

PHOTO REFERENCEPH0T0cREDIT Keith N. Morgan , DATEOFPHOTO ‘1YI i975

-

NEGATIVEFILEDAT Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission

fl IDENTIFICATIONDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETc. IF DISTRIcT. GIVE BUILOING NAME & STREET PHOTO NO, 1

View of south front facade.

-

- GPO e92.454

Form No. 10-301Rev. 10-74

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TI-fE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESPROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM

SEE I NSTRUCTIONS IN I-/OW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTERFORMSTYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH

fl NAME - -

HISTORIC The Babcock House -

AND/DR COMMONWhistling Chimneys

LOCATION.

clTY.T0wN Charlestown - COUNTY Washington STATERhodeIsland

fl PHOTO REFERENCEClifford N. Renshaw, LtIPHOTO cREDIT

.

DATEOFPHOTO July, 1970

Rhode Island Historical Preservation CommissionNEGATIVE FILED AT 150 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island

fl IDENTIFICATIONDEScRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETc. IF DISTRIcT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO NO.

FOR NPS USE bNLY

RECEIVED

DATE ENTERED

Fireplace wall, Main Parlor 3

Form No. 1O-301aRev. 10-74

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TIlE IN1ERIOR FOR NPS USE bNLYNATIONALPARKSERVICE . . *.. .

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORMATE ENTERED; . ..

.

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NA TIONAL REGISTERFORMSTYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH

fl NAMEHISTORIC The Babcock House

AND/OR COMMON Whistling Chimneys

U LOCATIONRhode

CITY. TowNCharlestown VICINITY OF COUNTY Washington STATE Island

fl PHOTO REFERENCEPHOTOCREDIT Clifford M. Renshaw, III

Rhode Island Historical PreservationDATEOFPHOTO July,

Commission1970

NEGATIVE FILED AT 150 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island

IDENTIFICATIONDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO NO

Fireplace, north bedroom, first floor 4

I ..

Form No. 10-301aRev. 10-74

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OI THE INTERIOR EOR NPS USE ONLYNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTEROF HISTORICPLACES RECEIVED

PROPERTYPHOTOGRAPHFORMDATE ENTERED :.

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMSTYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH

NAMEHISTORIC The Babcock House

AND/OR COMMONWhistling Chimneys

LOCATIONCITY. TOWN Charlestown COUNTY Washington

RhodeSTATE Island

PHOTOREFERENCEPHOTO CREDIT Clifford H. Renshaw, III DATEOFPHOTO July, 1970

NEGATIVE FILED AT bQde Is1ad 11istorial eservatjoriu iienerit Street, iroviaence, i<noaeCmis-ionisi.an

IDENTIFICATIONDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. IF DISTRICT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO NO.

Entry stairwell 5

Form No. 10-3010Rev. 10-74

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLYNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTEROF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED

PROPERTYPHOTOGRAPHFORMATE ENTERED

SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NA TIONAL REGISTER FORMSTYPE ALL ENTRIES --IENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH

NAMEHISTORIC Babcock House

AND/OR COMMONWhistling Chimneys

0 LOCATIONCITY. TOWN Charlestown OF COUNTY Washington STATE Rhode

Island

fl PHOTOREFERENCEPHOTO CREDIT DATE OF PHOTO late 19th century

NEGATIVE FILED AT Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission

fl IDENTIFICATIONÔESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. IF DISTRICT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO NO 2

View of house from acrossQuonochontaugPond, late nineteenth century

INT: 29e3m