Explore by State
Historic Site | Museum

John Brown House

Former home of the founder of Brown University.

Rhode Island
52 Power Street Providence, RI 02906
Share
Providence, RI

This was the first mansion in Providence built by John Brown, who founded Brown University, was a statesman, and made his fortune in the slave trade and other businesses (not to be confused with the slave revolt leader John Brown). John Brown was an important figure in the Revolutionary War, specifically being involved in the Gaspee Affair in 1772, founding and leading the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty, and supplying the Continental Navy with its first ship, the USS Providence. George Washington stayed here while visiting Rhode Island, and the collection includes a carriage known as "Washington's Chariot." 

More To Explore

Portrait of George Washington at Trenton
Biography
George Washington

What's Nearby

Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.

Historic Site
|
Museum
A large brick building with white trim and classical details stands behind a tall white fence, framed by autumn trees under a partly cloudy sky.
John Brown House

Providence, RI 02906

Former home of the founder of Brown University

0.00055356315556257
John Brown House
Historic Site
Red facade of the Stephen Hopkins House in Rhode Island
Hopkins House

Providence, RI 02903

Former home of Stephen Hopkins

0.34684823865682
Governor Stephen Hopkins House
Historic Site
A three‑story brick brownstone building with symmetrical windows and a central stone‑framed entrance stands behind a black streetlamp.
Old State House

Providence, RI 02903

Colonial-Era state house of Rhode Island

0.7962141153569
Old State House
Historic Site
|
Marker
Bronze marker on boulder to commemorate spot of the burning of the Gaspee
Gaspee Monument

Warwick, RI 02888

Site of the capture of the British crew of the Gaspee

6.7169595506591
Gaspee Monument
Historic Site
|
Museum
A small fortress like brick building sits on a street corner, with arched wooden doors, battlements, and a nearby cannon.
Varnum Armory Museum

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Museum with artifacts dating to the 16th century

18.098784243711
Varnum Armory Museum
18.317221949815
Site of the First Colonial Navy
Historic Site
Colonial Home of General James Mitchell Varnum
Varnum House

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Former home of General James Mitchell Varnum

18.318325838267
James Mitchell Varnum House, East Greenwich, RI
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
A small white historic building with four columns and green shutters stands at a roadside; the sign above the door reads “Kentish Guards 1774.”
Kentish Guards Armory

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Former armory and drill field of the Kentish Guard

18.431154125942
Kentish Guards Armory and Drill Field
18.479011578097
The Major General Nathanael Greene Homestead
19.656305198742
General Lafayette Marker, Bristol, Rhode Island (RI-3)
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
Early 20th century postcard depicting Butts Hill Fort in Rhode Island
Butts Hill Fort

Portsmouth, RI 02871

Franco-American defensive position in Rhode Island

26.342547557239
Butts Hill Fort
27.336707625555
General Lafayette Marker, Tiverton, Rhode Island (RI-8)
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
Fort Barton in Tiverton, Rhode Island
Fort Barton

02878

Fort named for Lt. Col. William Barton

27.368261293812
Fort Barton
Historic Site
|
Marker
Granite monument/structure in remembrance of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
1st Rhode Island Monument

Portsmouth, RI 02871

Monument dedicated to the men of the 1st Rhode Island

27.430482903879
1st Rhode Island Regiment Monument
Battlefield
|
State/County Park
Print of the Battle of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island

Portsmouth, RI 02871

First Franco-American operation of the Revolution

27.987085245498
Rhode Island
28.596028178262
Portsmouth Friends Meeting House
31.450252271521
Prescott's Headquarters