The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society unlocks centuries of architectural history with its upcoming House Tour. This year's event will delight history and architecture enthusiasts, offering an exclusive look inside 12 private homes that span over 300 years of Bristol’s rich architectural heritage.
House Tour 2024 showcases a mix of homes, from fresh additions to beloved favorites that haven’t welcomed the public in over 25 years. Each house provides a unique window into Bristol’s past, reflecting the town's evolving styles. Notes co-chair Janie Dauterive, “House Tour 2024 participants can expect to visit 12 private homes that highlight Bristol’s impressive historic architecture.”
One of the tour’s highlights is the Joseph Reynolds House, a National Historic Landmark built in 1698. Also known as the Lafayette House, this historic gem is the second oldest structure in Bristol and the oldest known three-story wooden house in New England. Not only did it house the prominent Reynolds family, but it also served as the Revolutionary War headquarters for the Marquis de Lafayette in 1778.
Another standout is Seven Oaks, a stunning Gothic Revival-style home designed by James Renwick, the architect behind Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Built in 1873 for Augustus O. Bourne, founder of the National India Rubber Company and former governor of Rhode Island, Seven Oaks boasts turrets, cresting, and spires. After being gutted in the early 1990s, the house was lovingly restored by successive owners, preserving its grandeur.
This year’s tour also introduces the DeWolf-Guiteras House, showcasing its architectural evolution. Originally built in the Greek Revival style, the house was later remodeled in the Stick Style by Ramon and Elizabeth Guiteras. It once featured a water-powered elevator, a testament to how historic homes can adapt over time.
A Tuscan villa, attributed to architect Russell Warren, also makes its debut on the tour. Built for lawyer and politician Jonathan Russell Bullock, this home delights with Warren’s signature triple arches and a patterned slate roof. Bullock once feared the steeple of the neighboring Methodist Episcopal Church would crash onto his house during a storm; while that steeple did fall during the 1938 hurricane, Bullock’s home remained miraculously unscathed.
Co-chair Larry Verria remarks, “We are grateful to all our House Tour 2024 homeowners for opening their homes so the public can learn more about Bristol’s impressive architectural history.” For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BHPSri.org.
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