Sunday, May 19, 2024

ADAMSDALE SPITE TOWER TOUR

Open House at Adamsville???s Historic Spite Tour House to Benefit the Little Compton Historical Society Little Compton

C TOWER THE TOWER 19030507_123476678234812_711512892745285813_n

The Samuel Church Mansion, built in 1815, is one of the grandest historic buildings in Adamsville, Rhode Island, and its ???Spite Tower??? is one of the most intriguing.

For months passersby have watched the property???s new owners, Adam and Kristen Silveira, convert the aging private home into a vacation rental property that honors the house???s history while offering twentieth-century visitors all the comforts of home.

??The Silveira???s are inviting community members to see the fruits of their labors at an upcoming ???Spite Tower Social??? scheduled for Thursday, July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm that will benefit the Little Compton Historical Society.

Guests will be able to tour the mansion and the Spite Tower and will enjoy a picnic supper and drinks on the lawn.

??Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling the Historical Society at 401-635-4035 or by visiting their website, littlecompton.org.

Merchant Samuel Church began building his mansion house in 1815.

When a hurricane damaged the unfinished house, Samuel visited the property and was tragically killed when a falling beam struck his head.

His brother Ebenezer arrived to complete construction on the house and take over the proprietorship of Samuel???s successful general store later operated by the Manchester family.

In the early 1900s the Hathaway family owned the house and added its water tower so that they could enjoy indoor plumbing.

The tower soon became known as the ???Spite Tower??? when neighbors gossiped about it ruining the view between the Manchester family home and their general store.

In reality, well towers need to be placed over wells, so the Hathaways had very little choice in its location.

As the property???s current owners, the Silveiras have breathed new life into the buildings and have ensured their preservation for future generations.

The house is available to rent for family or corporate gatherings via Sakonnet Farm Stays and has already hosted a number of weddings and rehearsal dinners.

Tickets to the Spite Tower Social are limited and those interested in attending are encouraged to contact the Historical Society promptly.