The John Brown House Museum

Visit the first mansion built in Providence, Rhode Island.

The John Brown House is near Brown University, and both are named after the original owner of the house. John Brown was one of the early benefactors of Brown University. His mansion depicts his wealth and position, and he built the estate between 1786 and 1788. Visitors to the museum will learn important aspects of the social and cultural history at the time and about how he and his brothers viewed slavery. See a real piece of history and learn about colonial and early American life. John Brown was an American abolitionist who advocated using armed insurrection to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States.

In his diary, John Quincy Adams wrote about the John Brown House and noted that it was "the most magnificent and elegant private mansion that I have ever seen on this continent." The property is maintained by the Rhode Island Historical Society and is a Historic Landmark. This museum features furniture, sculpture, artwork, silver, porcelain, textiles, and other original items. There are 18th-century wall maps and a fully restored 18th-century carriage. The carriage was known as the "Washington's Chariot" because George Washington used the carriage while visiting Rhode Island.

The visitor entrance is on the righthand side near the back of the house. Regular on-season hours (April through November) are Tuesday through Friday from 1 pm to 4 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Feel free to ask the tour guides about the area's history and the role of the American Revolution during the tour. Any history buff will enjoy visiting the John Brown House, be sure to add this place to your Rhode Island itinerary.