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Hunter House
Hunter House
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Timed ticket required. Purchase in advance. Guide-led tours at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm & 4:30 pm. Hunter House is a National Historic Landmark and one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture from 18th-century Newport. The north half was built between 1748 and 1754 by Jonathon Nichols Jr., a merchant and colonial deputy. After his death in 1756, Col. Joseph Wanton Jr. bought the house and enlarged it. Wanton, a loyalist, fled during the Revolution. His house became the headquarters of Admiral de Ternay, commander of the French fleet, in 1780. The house later was acquired by William Hunter, a U.S. Senator and President Jackson's charge d'affaires to Brazil. After the mid-1860s, it had various owners until 1945, when a group of citizens, concerned that the fine interiors might be removed, purchased Hunter House and formed The Preservation Society of Newport County. Today, the house exhibits examples of the finest arts and crafts of 18th-century Newport.
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4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Jonathan M
Tuxedo Park, NY644 contributions
Jun 2023
While much of the attention in Newport is on the Gilded Age mansions, Hunter House provides a fascinating glimpse of Newport life 150 years previous. Our guide did an excellent job taking us back to Colonial times and it was very interesting to see how the history of the house was in many ways a history of the country as well. Entry must be reserved in advance and this is strictly enforced since the size of the house limits the number of guests that can tour at one time comfortably. The surrounding neighborhood is well worth a stroll as you can see the largest collection of colonial structures in the country in just a few blocks. While the entry price is comparable to the other mansions and may seem a little steep we felt it was reasonable due to the ongoing conservation efforts and the fact that there was no gift shop to bring in additional funds.
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GinevraBenci
Newport, RI20 contributions
This house is a spectacular example of Georgian Colonial architecture and early Newport craftsmanship. I found this visit far more rewarding, from both an artistic and historical perspective, than visits to the mansions. The tours are every hour, lasting 60 minutes and our docent was deeply versed in not only the history of Newport, but in all the particulars of the museums collection. There is a beautiful, cultured garden in the back, which is actually the main entrance and looks over the water. The interior is a step back in time to Colonial Newport. The entire house is replete with antique furniture, silver, fine porcelain, artwork, woodworking, and original manuscripts. The original dark paneling and hardwood floorboards created a subdued atmosphere as though of candlelight. The majority of the craftsmanship on display are not only originally American, but are some of the finest examples of Newport's own famous furniture makers (Goddard and Townsend) and clockmaking (W. Claggett) - their studios still preserved just a few blocks over from the Hunter House.
At Newport's mansions you will be overwhelmed by the opulence and extravagances of the European imports/reproductions. But if it's authentic early America you want to see, and Newport's history you'd like to learn, I could recommend no better place than this one. Incidentally, the surrounding neighborhood is filled with many significant examples of Colonial architecture, and offers a beautiful stroll.
At Newport's mansions you will be overwhelmed by the opulence and extravagances of the European imports/reproductions. But if it's authentic early America you want to see, and Newport's history you'd like to learn, I could recommend no better place than this one. Incidentally, the surrounding neighborhood is filled with many significant examples of Colonial architecture, and offers a beautiful stroll.
Written 5 July 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAtoEverywhere
Los Angeles, CA412 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
We purchased the Newport Mansion Membership and were able to see all the houses for one low price as a result. We saw two our first day, the Green Animals Topiary and this house, on the 5 pm tour. It was a gloomy day and getting dark when we started our tour. It was slightly chilly out as we waited outside. I did fall in love with the sun dial outside and now I want one of my own (They are hard to find!). We admired the water and dock from the back yard. You get ticketed and towed if you don't move your car by 6 pm so we told the guide and she finished us up in 55 minutes. We started without a flashlight which was a bummer because I could not see anything. Then she got the flashlight but it was not very powerful and so we never really saw everything. But this guide was super knowledgeable in furniture - I had no idea that this stuff was so artsy and coveted. I personally don't have a passion for wood furniture that looks like art, but I do have a passion for learning and I felt that I really learned a lot in this hour. Not that I am a ball and claw expert, but.... At a later house, we learned people have paid Millions for similar furniture. I bet those people would cringe at the beautiful wood that I have painted black in my past. This house is definitely about the furniture. It is small and it is pricey to purchase just this ticket. Now that you know what it is about, you can decide if it is for you.
Written 19 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher D
85 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Sadly, I end up comparing this tour unfavorably with the tour of the Whitehorne House on Thames Street. Both homes give tours with live guides of colonial homes, and feature great architecture and furniture. But the similarities end there. 1st... touring the Hunter House is more expensive than the Whitehorne House. 2nd... the Hunter House bans all photography. We were allowed all the photos we wanted in the Whitehorne House. 3rd... the guides at the Hunter House adhere to a very rigid hourly tour schedule, while at the Whitehorne House, we started on our tour when we walked in, regardless of it being 20 mimutes after the hour. My recommendation: for those interested in Colonial homes and furnishings, choose the Whitehorne over the Hunter.
Written 5 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha C
Boston, Massachusetts, United States1 contribution
Aug 2014 • Family
My 10 year old granddaughter picked this house to visit and we were happy to bring her. We arrived at 4:10 on Saturday, Aug 9 to find a sign on the door stating that the tour was in session and to expect to be let in 10 minutes before the next tour. My 79 year old husband needed the bathroom so he tried the door, which was locked. Hmmm. This very arrogant older woman came to the door, said the tour was in progress. When my husband asked to use the facilities, she replied, "yes, as long as you pay for the next tour and do you understand how much it is?" He bought the tickets($61.50), used the bathroom, and we went for a walk to spend the time until the tour. We came back about 4:35 and waited until 4:50 til we tried the door again. Still locked, still sign on the door about the tour in progress. The woman finally came and got us a little before 5:00. Nobody exited the building, so there were NO PEOPLE on the 4:00 tour. There was no 4:00 tour but I understand her making us wait until 5:00 in case some other people came. She gave a very rushed tour, she was speaking so fast she was having difficulty breathing, I thought she might need an inhaler. I think you have to be interested in the makers of the furniture in order to enjoy this house. Also, the accountants were there, they did not seem happy, maybe that is why she was so surly. See the mansions first.
Written 21 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VectorBoson
Upstate New York93 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Do not expect this to be anything like the large "cottages" like the Breakers. As long as you are interested in the architecture and furniture of the period, this is a wonderful experience. Virtually all the furnishings are of the period, but not original to the house. It remains something of a work in progress, and must be incredibly expensive to restore. For me it is one of my favorites.
Written 10 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bcnett
Stoneham, MA441 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
One of the ten properties owned by the Newport Preservation Society, Hunter House is only opened in the summer on weekends . You must take a tour of this house. If you want to see this wonderful house, it is best to become a member of the Preservation Society. As of June, 2012, it costs $28.00 per person to tour Hunter House. It costs only $75.00 for adults (or $90.00 for two adults and all their children under 17) to become members of the Newport Preservation Society for a year. As members, you can visit this house and all other nine properties as many times as you want during your membership year.
Written 10 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim s
St. Petersburg, FL89 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
While tourist often concentrate on the Gilded Age "cottages" like the Breakers, Marble House, the Elms (all worth your attention as well) be sure not to miss the smaller gems. If you're interested in 18th century architecture/furniture this is the place to go! Compare its elegance to the later mansions. Tour guide, Larry, was excellent and informative.
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Written 6 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
649001
Springfield329 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
The tour was very boring and too expensive ($28 per person). There is actually nothing interesting to see there. It is a dark house with old items (all not original). Some of the furniture is in bad condition. Go somewhere else in Newport.
Written 2 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frequentraveler13
USA461 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
The Hunter House is a mid1700s house that was added to, and holds a remarkable collection of furniture, clicks and some into portraits. Be warned- it is only open to small groups at very specific hours- none of which are listed on line or in Preservation Society written materials. Staff at the house did not know this- and central office staff blew off concerns. There is even a flag outside that says open and plaque lists house hours without any notice that it is closed between tour times! Quite expensive as well.
Written 29 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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