The Stephen Hopkins House is undergoing restoration as a result of a US Department of Interior/National Park Service Semiquincentennial Grant. The scope of the work: complete exterior restoration, including new wood roof shingles, new skylights, localized masonry restoration, wood trim repair, select window sash restoration and sash replacement, repair and/or replacement of wood clapboards, rebuilding of bulkhead, and painting. Work to repair and restore the painted wood fencing and gates, and masonry repairs to retaining walls will occur following the completion of the exterior restoration work.
This work may continue to restrict access to the public for tours. Please follow the progress of the restoration; the house will reopen as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience!
NSCDA in RI
The home of Declaration of Independence signer Stephen Hopkins, his family and their slaves for 4 decades, on Benefit Street’s “Mile of History.” Built in 1707 and enlarged in 1743, now furnished with period antiques and Hopkins heirlooms. Hopkins was elected Governor of Rhode Island ten times, served in the General Assembly, presided as Chief Justice over the Gaspee Affair, and represented the colony at both Continental Congresses.
Guided tours of the 1707 home of Declaration-signer Stephen Hopkins, his family, and their slaves for four decades, on Benefit Street’s “Mile of History”, a block from Brown University, the RISD Museum, and WaterFire. This 8-room house full of antiques and Hopkins heirlooms includes the bedchamber where George Washington slept, as well as a slaves’ room and gallery currently showing a collection of 18th century samplers.
| Rhode Island History | Life of Stephen Hopkins |
| 1689 Rhode Island re-emerged as a separate colony. | |
| 1689–97 King William’s War: the French attack Block Island three times. | |
| 1703–13 Queen Anne’s War: Rhode Island supplied some soldiers; commissioned privateers. |
1707 Stephen Hopkins born on March 7 in Cranston; the family later moves to a farm in Scituate. 1726 Marries Sarah Scott, both 19. |
| 1736 A slave trade ship sailed from Providence for the first time. | 1735–38 Continues in General Assembly. |
| 1739–48 King George’s War: 35 Newport merchants were commissioned as privateers. | 1742 Moves to Providence.
1753 Wife, Sarah, and two sons die. |
| 1754–63 The French and Indian War: Rhode Island merchants lost over 200 ships. | 1754 Delegate to the Congress of Albany. Hopkins and Benjamin Franklin lobbied fellow delegates for a colonial “union.” 1755 Marries Anne Smith 1765 Publishes The Rights of the Colonies Examined to denounce the Stamp Act which the British government levied on the colonies which had no representation in Parliament. |
| 1772 RI patriots burned the H.M.S. Gaspee striking the first blow for freedom. |
1772 Stephen Hopkins was Chief Justice at the time; no one was ever prosecuted.
1774 The Rhode Island General Assembly elected Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward as 1776 Hopkins signs the Declaration of Independence for Rhode Island. |
