The Isaac Bell House is one of the best surviving examples of shingle style architecture in the country. The house was designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and White in 1883 for Isaac Bell, a wealthy cotton broker and investor. After passing through a succession of owners, today it is owned by The Preservation Society of Newport County and is designated a National Historic Landmark.
The Isaac Bell House was remarkably innovative when it appeared in 1883. It is a combination of Old English and European architecture with colonial American and exotic details, such as a Japanese-inspired open floor plan and bamboo-style porch columns.
The exterior of the house has been extensively renovated and interior restoration work is continuing. The Isaac Bell House was opened exclusively for one day in April 2014 for the Neighborhoods of Newport House Tour.
Photography courtesy of Gavin Ashworth/The Preservation Society of Newport County
