Samuel B. Mumford House, Providence

The Samuel B. Mumford House is a Federal-style residence built around 1823–1825 for local merchant Samuel B. Mumford. Its wooden exterior has balanced sash windows, clapboard walls, and a monitor-on-hip roof. The entrance is distinguished by slender Gothic colonnettes, while documented interior features include wide-board floors, six-panel doors, fireplaces, and a curved staircase.

The house is closely connected with horror writer H. P. Lovecraft, who rented rooms here from 1933 until his death in 1937. It was his final home and became the model for Robert Blake’s residence in the short story The Haunter of the Dark. The elevated position and views over nearby rooftops also influenced the setting described in the story.

Originally built at another site near Brown University, the house was moved in 1959 to make way for campus expansion. It retains much of its historic form and contributes to the College Hill Historic District. A small plaque identifies it as the Samuel B. Mumford House, without mentioning Lovecraft. The building remains a private residence and should be viewed respectfully from the public sidewalk.