Melville House History
John Odlin was the original owner of the 39 Clark Street property and in 1780 hosted soldiers of the Rochambeau’s French Army. David Melville acquired the Clarke Street house in the early 1800’s. David was a Newport pewterer and the inventor of the gas streetlight. In 1805, Newport was the first city in America to have a street lit by a gas lamp. A plaque on the corner of Newport’s Pelham and Thames Streets marks the site of the first gas streetlight that shined in front of David Melville’s house. David manufactured the gas for the lamps in the basement of his house, then on Pelham Street. Some time after obtaining the 1810 patent for his gas lamp, David Melville purchased the house on Clarke Street, rolled on logs his Pelham Street house to Clarke Street and attached the house to the back of the former John Odlin house.
Our Clarke Street Neighbors
Clarke Street is still lit by gas streetlights and is one of the quietest streets in Newport. Clarke Street is lined with fascinating old colonial buildings such as the Newport Artillery Company that dates to 1741. The Artillery Company is America's oldest military unit in continuous service under its original charter. Soldiers of this company can often be seen marching on Clarke Street and around town in their colonial uniforms and with their fife and drum escort. Celebrations and holidays give ample excuse for the Artillery Company’s firing of cannon, some of which were manufactured in Paul Revere’s foundry in Massachusetts.
Across the street from the Melville House is the Vernon House. The French General Rochambeau made Vernon House his headquarters during 1780 and 1781. General George Washington stayed at Vernon House in March of 1781 and with Rochambeau and Lafayette in this house planned the Yorktown battle campaign against the British army. Some of Rochambeau’s soldiers were quartered at Melville House before marching south to Virginia.
The Melville House offering Newport Rhode Island Lodging, is just one block from Thames Street, Newport's historic main street with its fine restaurants, antique shops, galleries and charming gift shops. The Newport harbor front is two blocks from Melville House and is the home to Bowens Wharf and Banisters Wharf. At the end of Clarke Street are Washington Square and the Colony House, Rhode Island’s colonial statehouse. Within two blocks of Melville House are the Museum of Newport History, Touro Synagogue (the oldest in North America), Trinity Church (built in 1726), and the 1673 White Horse Tavern (now a fine dining restaurant).
Melville House offering Newport RI Lodging is also within walking distance to Newport’s many places of worship such St. Mary's Church (where President John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline). The International Tennis Hall of Fame, the mansions of the Vanderbilts, Astors and the Belmonts, The Cliff Walk, The Naval War College and Newport's finest ocean beaches are also close.
Colonial Newport Style
Most people think of Newport as part of the gilded age of Victorian living; a place where Americas "royalty,” its wealthiest families, built, lived and lavishly decorated their "summer cottages.” Long before the gilded age, Newport was a thriving colonial seaport that in the early 1700’s rivaled New York and Boston as a port. Reaping the rewards of the maritime trade, colonial Newport built a striking city of wooden houses close to harbor wharves. Newport today is home to more original colonial wooden houses than any city in America.
The Melville House is one of the few places for Lodging in Newport Rhode Island, dedicated to the Colonial style and decorated in the simple tastes of the early colonists. The seven rooms of the Melville House are furnished in a traditional colonial style and are available with both private and shared baths. A romantic fireplace suite is available from November first to May fifteenth.
Melville House Fare
A full homemade breakfast is served every morning in the Melville House dining room. Breakfast commences with a cup of our special blend Melville House coffee. Our guests then indulge in a bowl of our famous Melville House granola that is freshly baked in our kitchen. Next is served a distinctive fruit entrée such as poached pears with nutmeg or peaches with a cinnamon cream. The breakfast table is never complete without a basket of fresh homemade muffins, scones or bread. To complete our breakfast we serve a hot entrée such as: stuffed croissant French toast with raspberry sauce; broccoli quiche; breakfast bread with sautéed apples and Vermont maple syrup; southwest frittata (a recipe from our son Andy in California); blueberry sour cream pancakes with lemon sauce; and Melville House eggs served in puff pastry.
In the afternoon, savor a cup of tea and fresh home baked cookies in our common room. Relax after a busy day of sightseeing and shopping to the sounds of classical music in the background. Enjoy a good book or one of our many games available. Share your day’s adventure with us and let us recommend one of Newport’s fine restaurants for dinner.
