Blithewold and Bristol, Rhode Island Field Trip

Mister took a day off from work and he took me exploring into Rhode Island. I love little New England towns and if they are close to the water the magnetic pull for me is irresistible. We love Newport and the mansions and all the opulence of a bygone era. I am an architecture junkie. I love the old stone work, the carved wood, paneling...ahhh. Come on, lets go on a field trip. (Homeschool mom's call everything a field trip.)

Because he knows me so well, Mister finds places he thinks I would like and he did not disappoint. Blithewold Mansion is on 32 acres, located on the harbor in Bristol, R.I. It was the home of the Van Wickle family who purchased the land in 1894 to build their summer home. They made their money in coal mining during the Industrial Age that produced mega-wealthy families like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. Ten years after it was built there was a fire that destroyed the house but the Van Wickles rebuilt. The home is now open to the public and the grounds available for hire to accommodate weddings and events.

The front entrance.

The back door in the center gives an excellent view of the harbor.

Dentil molding and carved wood work surround the interior of the front entry.

Corinthian columns...be still, heart.

Plaster work surrounding the simplest light in the front entry way. Even the modern bulb couldn't make this look bad.

The property boasts beautiful gardens to include this cutting garden.

The volunteer staff at Blithewold told me that they decorate for Christmas so maybe we will have to take a trip back here in December.

This is the view from the back lawn.

Bristol is a seaport town with cute little protected harbors and tree lined streets. In the summer it hosts a "home-town U.S.A." type of Independence Day parade. From what I understand Bristol is packed that day. But, summer is gone and the town was back down to it's regular population. Sweet boutiques, quaint shops and restaurants were conveniently located within walking distance of one another. Mister took my hand in his and we strolled along streets that New Englanders have strolled for hundreds of years. I imagined men returning from whaling trips, captains returning from long voyages across the Atlantic to trade with Europe....

This little building sits empty waiting for someone to open a cute shop. Couldn't you just see cupcakes or fresh bread coming out of here!?

Then there were houses trimmed in the most scrumptious gingerbread trim. This house was so sweet and I so much wanted to just pull the political signs out of the front yard to just get a good photo. 

Seaport towns have homes and buildings set along the water that were used to unload cargo. Many times today we see these buildings have been turned into condominiums. 

I was walking down the street I passed a shop window that made me stop in my tracks. The color and design on the wall screamed at me to enter. Mister dutifully asked "Do you want to go in?" Me: "Um, YEAH!" He really is a good sport...

This place screamed HAPPY to me! I loved everything in there but truly the color is what got me most! Where can I use this wallpaper? I need a room with some height! That dark blue wall in the back along with the wall behind the counter set it over the top for me. Anyway, if you are in Bristol, this shop is worth a stop! Another shop, across the street, caught my attention with some of the wares on display outside on the fence. Yes, I did make my way over there....

This was my first trip to Bristol, Rhode Island but I will be back, Lord willing. Even though summer is past the sea still calls to me. My guy knows this and indulges me a bit. Regardless of where we end up as long as my hand is in his I am blessed beyond measure.

Party time! 

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