This 103-years-old mansion in Rhode Island is built on a small, rocky island far away from any nosy neighbors. Just like this house, built close to Oslofjord Island, Norway, it offers total privacy.
Clingstone mansion was built in 1905, for a cost of roughly $36,000, by J.S. Lovering Wharton, a distant cousin of 79-year-old Henry Wood, the present owner of the house. He and his ex-wife bought it in 1961, for $3,600 and managed to bring it back to life after it had been abandoned for two decades.
Mr. Wood and his family found an ingenious way of preserving this 23-room architectural wonder: the Clingstone work weekend. Every year, around Memorial Day, the Wood family and up to 70 friends gather at Clingstone to clean the mansion and fix any of its problems. Practically, any volunteer workers are welcome.
In winter time the boats and floating dock are stored at the nearby Jamestown Boatyard, in exchange for a week’s stay at Clingstone, during the summer.
at 3:18 pm
What a great old house!
at 4:21 pm
Oh my good!!!! I want this house for my old age!!!!, …. read a good book in the night in the middle of the river…
at 5:26 pm
This house is totally exposed to the world, not totally private! The middle of Narragansett Bay is not a good place for an isolated hideaway. But it’s still awesome.
at 5:48 pm
This is nice. (as long as there is electricity, hot water, and a place for the toilet to flush
at 6:42 pm
Awesome!
at 6:47 pm
I love the “No bush” sign.
at 11:54 pm
LOL..Looks like a great place to have a huge coke party at!
at 12:44 am
awesome …
one house one island concept …
might work in maldives …
at 1:39 pm
a perfect prison!
at 6:53 pm
There is economy electrisity!!! It’s very comfotably and safly for environment becouse of solar batteries! I’d love to have it)))
at 12:33 am
damn what a beautiful house…i wanna live there!
at 3:01 am
global warming fail
at 9:13 am
I would absolutely love that place. the secluded nature of it does make me worry in some aspects thou, when the weather gets up your in the middle of it all. if something happens to your boat or the seas are rough. maintaining power etc etc.
at 12:32 pm
I wonder how deep into the rock they put the footings? It would be cool to stay there for a week or two! What about electric?
at 12:24 am
I was fortunate enough to have just spent the last 4 days at Clingstone. I was there with friends I have known for decades and it was spectacular. Every room in the place has a great view, the weather was great and the Newport Jazz festival was just across the water. It is self sustaining, generating it’s own electricity via wind and solar and has composting toilets. It is one eclectic pad…bmf
at 10:21 pm
yeah i can appreciate the beauty of a new home but my how you thought of your gran children and how your name will be passed on……….or……
at 2:42 am
Reminds me of the lemony snickets movie! lol! Would love a stay there in summer! ; )
at 5:14 pm
If i ever hot jackpot, this is my dream house,sit in the rocking chair, read book,or just watch the waves roll.Love it .
at 10:19 pm
It’s amazing what people can do when they come together for such a blessed place.
I just want to say thanks to all the people that have made this place possible.
at 7:18 pm
Is this house for rent?
at 9:46 pm
Interesting old place. Very nicely photographed. I think that I would be see sick if I lived there.
at 4:27 pm
How can my wife and I sign up for a future work week camp or weekend camp?