John Brown House Museum, Providence, RI

John Brown House Museum

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."