House on the Rock
House on the Rock, some of you shipboard types have probably seen this on
Occasion. In my time in the Newport/Boston area it didn't look this good but,
Times have changed and the restoration is apparent..
Clingstone, an unusual, 103-year-old mansion in Rhode Island's
Narragansett Bay, survives through the love and hard work of
Family and friends.
Henry Wood, the owner, runs the house like a camp: all skilled workers welcome.
The Jamestown Boatyard hauls the family's boats and floating dock and store
Them each winter in return for aweek's use of the house in the summer.
Mr. Wood, a 79-year-old Boston architect, bought the house with his
Ex-wife Joan in 1961 for $3,600. It had been empty for two decades.
Clingstone had been built by a distant cousin, J.S. Lovering Wharton.
Mr. Whartonworked with an artist, William Trost Richards, to create
A house of picture windows with 23 rooms on three stories radiating
Off a vast central hall.
The total cost of the construction, which was completed in 1905,
Was $36,982.99
An early sketch of the house. Mr.Wood is as proud as any parent of his house,
And keeps a fat scrapbook of photographs and newspaper clippings that
Document it's best moments. Many of the historic photos he has were
Provided by the company that insured the house for its original owners.
The Newport Bridge is visible from the windows of the Ping-Pong room,
To the left of the fireplace.
The house is maintained by an ingenious method: the Clingstone work weekend.
Held every year around Memorial Day, it brings 70 or so friends and Clingstone
Lovers together to tackle jobs like washing all 65 of the windows. Anne Tait,
Who is married to Mr. Wood's son Dan, refinished the kitchen floor on one of
Her first work weekends
There are 10 bedrooms at Clingstone, all with indecently beautiful views.
The dining room table seats 14. Refinishing the chairs is a task
On the list for a future work weekend.
Sign by the ladder that leads to the roof reads: No entry after three
Drinks or 86 years of age. "It used to say 80 but we had a guy on a work
Weekend who was 84, so I changed it," said Mr. Wood, ever the realist.
It would have been a shame to curtail the activities of a willing volunteer.
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Hi Guys
Absolutely blown away by the beauty of the place and the love you have for it.
I would love to drop by and volunteer but alas I am in bonnie Scotland. Thank you for the inspiration through dedication.
My love
Jim
How do you sign up to volunteer?? We have family in Bristol and we are here right now. Please send us any information.
THX
Thank you for your comments, Conni.
I am getting some information together for you.
Have a great day
This mom & my daughter 10 now but will be 11 in April would love to come & help. Can you send me some information too please??? =) So curious, how did the house stand against the weather of Irene? This shared experience would be a wonderful opportunity for both of us if we were considered volunteers. If you email me I can tell you more about us too. =D
Hi Henry,
We have a family reunion every year and would love to know if you rent out the house. My 5 children and their spouses and children love getting together and having the time to share adventures, play board games and get away from the hectic hustle of city life. We come from Massachusetts, North Carolina and Florida. Please let me know how we can rent and help upkeep the beauty that is
Clingstone Mansion.
Jacquie
I lived in Jamestown from 1931 until 1952. These pictures brought back
many fine memories of “your island” and “my Jamestown island”.
Ginny
My family as well would very much love to volunteer at this incredible place. My father is a, “True ‘Ol Man of the Sea”…..a retired sea captain in his 70’s, who would certainly enjoy a stay at Clingstone. PLEASE send us any information on volunteering and to help make a memorable dream come true for him. Warmest Regards…
HOW DO YOU GET ELECTRICITY TO THE ISLAND
[…] Clingstone, an unusual, 103-year-old mansion in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, survives through the love and hard work of family and friends. […]
I grew up in Narragansett, and have always been fascinated by Clingstone. I now live in NYC, and am a building contractor specializing in custom cabinetry and finish carpentry. I am also well versed in roofing, and all manner of carpentry. I WANT to volunteer. Please drop me a line.
A friend of mine emailed the story of Clingstone (the house on the rock) to me and I was amazed! I would love to volunteer to keep this beauty at it’s best. Please email me information to help out!
Thank you,
Theresa
NJ
I received an email froma friend with the story of this beautiful house and the awesome photographs included. What a story. I am interested in volunteering to help maintain this treasure. Please send me a contact and any information you might have about the process.
Thanks,
Melody
GA
We’d love to work–my husband and I have extensively remodeled 3 houses ourselves and are willing to pitch in on any of the jobs needed. We spent two lweeks this past summer in Jamestown. Beautiful writeup here Thanks and please let me know how contact to volunteer!
Would love information on renting this wonderful home…………..
I RECEIVED THIS FROM MY COUSIN IN FLORIDA AND I NEVER KNEW THAT IT WAS HERE IN NEW ENGLAND. I LIVE IN THE FISH TOWN OF GLOUCESTER AND I THINK THAT WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE WITH THE HOUSE IS WONDERFUL……….THANKS FOR THE SHOW AND I WILL PASS IT ALONG TO ALL………..
WONDERFUL! What is the rental fee for time at your facinating setting? We love (and do) preservation architecture. Thanks for sharing a bit of the home’s story.
Amie
Your house ROCKS! (literally)
…my grandfather has worked on that house along with
many other big old places there; he was a general contractor…
…i miss jamestown…
I would love to receive information about volunteering time/ work at the mansion. Thank you!
Would you please send me information as to how a party of ten people and maybe more would be able to volunteer our services and the rental fee. We are members of a hiking club here in Honolulu, Hawaii and have involved ourselves in a number of ways towards the upkeep of our 90-year old hiking clubhouse near the beach. Thank you, Carole Keala
hi clingers, –
also interested in how i (or some of my family as well) can assist in the work effort…please send me information on how to proceed…thanks!
—– christian.
Hi, Carole:
This is Mia (who worked with you at UH). Please send an email to me at mialam_ca@yahoo.com. I have a question about breast cancer. We just found that Wai has it and will have a surgery on this coming Saturday, 3/17/12.
Interested in renting next summer 2013 for family reunion- fascinating house! Love the history and work weekend!
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you,
Nancy Jesson
We are a family of 8 and would love the opportunity to volunteer and stay for 1 week. Please send us info on how and when this is possible. We would be coming from the USA and Germany:)
Thank you,
J Schubert
We lost contact information for Josh and Henry Wood. Could you please pass on my contact information to them? I would really appreciate it.
Pigman
401-527-1468