Friends of the Allen Madison House: August 2010

Welcome to the Friends of the Allen Madison House Blog!

Here you will find information on the PAST - the history of this unique house, on the PRESENT - the status of the house today, and on the FUTURE - options we are exploring for 21st century use and sustainability.

ABOUT US - In 2000, some interested folks joined together to form the FRIENDS of ALLEN MADISON HOUSE (FAMH) to help preserve this historic gem. Over the past ten years, FAMH has advocated for preservation of the house and for keeping her in the public eye. Meanwhile, the efforts and commitment of the Quonset Development Corporation, which oversees the property for the Navy, has saved her from the brink of destruction.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Welcome to the Friends of Allen Madison House Blog!

"PLOWS TO PLOUGHSHARES" TOUR

FAMH hosted our first tour of the Allen Madison House property when Tim Cranston, local historian, led a bus tour called "Plows to Ploughshares" to three historic sites on the Quonset/Davisville property on August 7, 2010. The Allen Madison House was the first stop for the forty-plus participants who learned about the history of the house and property from Narragansett wampum production, through Revolutionary War drama, 19th century farming, procurement for the WW II effort in 1941, to her exposure and demise and recent protection and planning efforts. Kathy Fandetti dressed in colonial attire as a docent and Dan Urish's presence ensured a smooth presentation. Thanks to Tim Cranston for helping keep the Allen Madison House in the public eye.

The Past

The Allen Madison House is located in-North Kingstown, overlooking Allen Harbor. The site was favored by the Narragansett for its sheltered harbor and shellfishing. The original house on the land was built by Robert Westcote in 1671 and was sold to John Allen in 1769.

During the Revolutionary War, as John Allen was a Patriot sympathizer, in 1779 a British raiding party took Allen prisoner and burned the original house. He rebuilt in 1801, near the original site. A few years later, the first one-room schoolhouse in North Kingstown was moved to the location, to serve as a kitchen ell.

Allen went on to become a state representative, senator and Supreme Court Justice. He was gored by a bull and died in the keeping room in 1813.

The farm manager, Matteson (later Madison) bought the house and farm in 1825. The property remained in his family until 1909, when it was bought by Ellis White. It remained in White's extended family until 1941 when the property was procured by the Navy for the war effort. The Allen Madison House became the Sea Bee Commander's residence, and later in the -1950's converted into apartments. The house was abandoned by the Navy in 1974. It was placed on the Historic Register in 1977. For twenty years the house was neglected and vandalized. In 1999, the Navy handed management of the property over to the Quonset Development Corporation.

The Allen Madison House is an historical treasure, boasting a keeping room with beehive oven and the attached one-room school house. A hiding place is built into the fireplace foundation in the basement, as well as hidden nooks in the fireplace stack on the first and second floors. The Allen Madison House reflects the history -from Narragansett, to colonists, to farmers to military use that she has witnessed over more than 200 years.

The Present

The Allen Madison House has been protected against the elements, vandals and critters, thanks to QDC. It has been outfitted with a new roof, gutters, electrical connection, and exterior painting.

A Master Plan was developed in 2008 by Newport Collaborative, with the support of the RI Rural Development Council. The Plan outlines the status of the house and a "blueprint" for restoration. FAMH and RIRDC have been exploring the feasibility of returning the property to agricultural use, to sustain and fund restoration.

FAMH continues to maintain public visibility of the Allen Madison House at the Wickford Art Festival, North Kingstown Environmental Fair, public talks, a recent tour and advocacy.