BLITHEWOLD MANSION, GARDENS & ARBORETUM

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum is a historic house museum and 33-acre country estate located on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay in Bristol, Rhode Island. Established in 1894 by coal magnate Augustus Van Wickle and his wife Bessie, the estate features an English Country Manor-style mansion and nationally significant gardens from the Country Place Era. Today, it is operated by the Heritage Trust of Rhode Island, showcasing the Van Wickle family's legacy and the estate's horticultural treasures.

Families can explore the mansion's original rooms, including the entrance hall and living room, which offer insights into early 20th-century life. The grounds feature diverse gardens, including a bamboo grove and a Moongate, a popular photo spot. Visitors can also enjoy the natural beauty of the estate, with opportunities to observe various wildlife, including birds and small creatures, making it a delightful experience for nature lovers and families alike.

Founded as a summer estate in 1894, Blithewold was named after a house the Van Wickles rented in New Jersey, meaning "happy woodland." The original Queen Anne-style mansion was completed in 1896, but a fire in 1906 led to its reconstruction in 1907 as a more fire-resistant structure. Marjorie Van Wickle Lyon lived there until her death in 1976, after which the estate was bequeathed to the Heritage Trust of Rhode Island, which has maintained it as a public attraction since 1978.