NEWPORT – The Preservation Society of Newport County announced last week that it has received a $100,000 grant to study the condition of one of its mansions.
The society said that the van Beuren Charitable Foundation provided the money for an in-depth study of the Hunter House on Washington Street. The society said that preservation architectural firm Wank Adams Slavin Associates of New York would prepare a detailed conditions assessment report and construction documents. Those documents will lay the foundation for a historic structure report, which the society called crucial to preserving the building and serving s a guide for future restoration work.
The society says the original portion of the Georgian Colonial-style home was constructed between 1748 and 1754 by Jonathon Nichols Jr., a local merchant and colonial deputy. Later, Deputy Gov. Joseph Wanton Jr. purchased the home and enlarged it, adding the south wing and a second chimney.
Wanton fled during the American Revolution and Admiral de Ternay, commander of the French fleet, set up his headquarters in the home. The house passed through many other prominent owners before being slated for demolition in the first half of the 20th century.
The society purchased the building in 1945 and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.
