Aldrich Mansion is situated on a majestic seventy-five acre estate on scenic Narragansett Bay. It was built during the "Golden Years" of Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, a Rhode Island native born to poverty but destined for greatness. The estate once held a Teahouse, since destroyed by fire. It was here that Abby Aldrich, one of the Senator¹s eight children, wed John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (father of Nelson A. Rockefeller, formerly Governor of New York and later Vice President of the United States).

Along with the elegant Chateau itself, the estate is home to a carriage house, caretaker's cottage and boathouse. Originally built to aid in the transportation of goods to Warwick Neck, a railway and supply tunnel led from the boathouse to a 150-foot tower, and then to the Mansion. Construction on the Chateau began in 1896 by the firm of Carrera & Hastings. Nearly 200 craftsmen, many of whom were dispatched from Europe, were commissioned to create this dynamic structure. Some sixteen years later, the seventy-room Mansion, once known as Indian Oaks, was completed.

Ornate paintings and intricate wood carvings adorn the halls and chambers. Italian marble, in a diversity of design and color is employed extensively for fireplaces, floors and bathrooms. The vaulted ceilings of a spacious receiving room are resplendent with golden richness. The vast living and dining halls, as well as a music and fine arts chamber, are located on the main floor.

A magnificent marble staircase leads to the second level. Six elegant suites, each with its own marble-fireplaced bath and bedroom, occupy this floor. The Senator and Mrs. Aldrich (the former Abby Chapman Greene), each inhabited one of the three largest of these suites, which include sitting room, dressing room, and walk-in closet. The Senator's suite holds a private staircase leading to the Great Terrace overlooking Narragansett Bay. Guarding the terrace sit two decorative marble sphynxes. Above this second level are eight more suites, each with a private bath, once used for visiting guests and family.

French doors serve as windows throughout the halls and rooms of this floor. All are framed by waist-high railings installed to protect Mrs. Aldrich during her occasional sleep-walking episodes.
In 1939, eighty-five acres of the Aldrich Mansion estate were transferred by the Senator¹s heirs to the Providence Diocese for a token sum. In 1946, Our Lady of Providence Seminary made Aldrich Mansion its home, and the Campus and Chapel were erected.

Today, the elegant and charming atmosphere of Aldrich Mansion serves as the perfect site for wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, birthday and anniversary parties. With its panoramic view of the Bay, the Mansion also serves especially well as a serene location for conferences, meetings and seminars. In the summer of 1997, Aldrich Mansion played host to the filming of a
major motion picture, Meet Joe Black, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. The film was released in November of 1998.

Now a community center and meeting hall, this building used to be a
boathouse. This is the headquarters for the Gaspee Days Committee, the Pawtuxet Village Association and Pawtuxet Land Trust.

Located at 40 Post Road, the Bank Cafe was built in 1815 by the Rhodes family in the Federal style. A two and a half story structure, the Bank Cafe was originally the first bank in the area. The top floor was once a finishing school for girls, but since 1874, when James Tinker assumed ownership, the building has been used almost exclusively as a dining establishment. The bank's original vault was used as a wine cellar. Currently a private dwelling.

Legend has it that this rock once created a deep, booming sound, like a drum. The common story is that Indians once used Drum Rock for sending messages. We do know that this was once a great gathering place for tribes converging near the Pequot Trail.

The rock itself was delicately balanced on two points and could be easily moved by hand, or rocked by the wind, and with that rocking, it created the distinctive sound.

At one time, the rock was the symbol of Apponaug, its image replicated for parades. Today, Drum Rock is silent, having been moved from it¹s original position because it made too much noise for nearby neighbors.

Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum is a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation operating an historic Victorian home located in Warwick, Rhode Island as a museum for the public.

The house is an important part of the history of the City of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island. It was built in 1872 by William Smith Slater for his daughter, Elizabeth Ives Slater, on her marriage to Alfred Augustus Reed, Jr. It has remained in the family since it was built, passing from female to female until reaching the current owner.

Built in 1893-94, this building features a six-story clock tower which is visible for miles around. Designed by the architectural firm of William R. Walker & Son, City Hall cost $75,000 to erect and was built to replace the Town House, clerk's office and stables which had stood on this spot for the previous sixty years. On the second floor is the Town Scale and Council Chambers, while the remainders of what once were the city's jail cells are in the basement. Tours of the building are available.