Sullivan Dorr House, Providence

The Sullivan Dorr House was built in 1809 by architect John Holden Greene on the original burial site of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence. The home, located at 109 Benefit Street, is a combination of architectural styles known as Strawberry Hill Gothic. This style is a combination of Georgian, Gothic and Palladian techniques to create an entirely unique-looking home.

The home was built for shipping magnate Sullivan Dorr and his wife, Lydia Allen. The main section of the home is three stories with two-story wings on each side. Those passing by will also notice that the covered entrance is surrounded by slender, Gothic columns. A servants' quarters and barn were built at the same time as the home.

The Sullivan Dorr House was given to the Providence Preservation Society by Dorr's great granddaughter, Margarethe Lyman Dwight, in 1956. It was the first home preserved by the society. Today, the house is more than 6,000 square feet with nine bedrooms and six bathrooms. The former carriage house has been converted into a garage.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Reading Tom.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Sullivan Dorr House
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Brown University Walking Tour

Chief among the iconic landmarks contributing to the cultural atmosphere of Providence, Rhode Island, is Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution known for its liberal arts education and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1764, this is the seventh-oldest university in the United States, chartered before the American Revolution.

Brown's historic campus offers a classic New... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Providence, the capital of the US state of Rhode Island, is one of the oldest cities in New England. Founded in 1636 by the Puritan theologian Roger Williams, it was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States. The settlement was named after "God's merciful Providence" which Williams believed was responsible for revealing such a haven for him and his... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves – founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles