Weekend Tours at Historic Smith-Appleby House Museum in Smithfield, RI

Volunteer historians in Colonial costume will conduct the tours where visitors can learn about the 316-year history and architecture of the home, the Smith-Appleby family and 18th century living in RI; watch demonstrations; examine period furnishings, clothing and household items; and sample hearth-baked goods.

 

The home was originally constructed as a one-room stone-ender (a house where one wall is a large stone chimney) with a loft. It was built circa 1696 by Elisha Smith, the grandson of John Smith (The Miller), one of Roger Williams’ original party of six men who left the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded Providence.

 

Over the years, later generations of the family expanded the house, which today totals 12 rooms. It’s one of the few remaining 17th century houses in the state, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.