Historical note
Berkeley House is located at 1 Berkeley
Avenue in Newport, RI. It is a brick, Queen
Anne cottage built in 1884-1885 for LeRoy King of Newport and New York, It was
designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and
White. It replaced a smaller wood structure that
stood on the corner site of Berkeley and Bellevue
Avenues.
LeRoy King (1857-1895) was the son of Edward King and a member of the extended
King family that amassed a
fortune in the China Trade. Other Kings include Dr. David King
(Muenchinger-King
building), Edward King (King Senior Center), David King Jr. (Kingscote), George Gordon King
(Edgehill) and the artist Charles Bird
King. At one time the Kings were the largest land
owners, ever, in Newport. LeRoy King also built the King block
of shops adjacent to the Newport Casino.
The house remained in one family for one hundred years. It passed
from LeRoy King to his wife Ethel
Rhinelander King, then to their children
including Ethel King
Russell, then to her son John Stephen Howland Russell. It is presently a
three family dwelling.
Chronology of Berkeley House, 1 Berkeley Avenue, 262 Bellevue
Avenue, Plat 33, Lot 26
1876
Atlas shows a corner lot with a wood house owned by
Eliza T. Goffe, widow of John Goffe, adjacent to larger
lot owned by Edward King.
1878 August 2
Deed transferred from Eliza T. Goffe to Mary King,
David King, Jr. and LeRoy King, trustees under the will
of Edward King, for $10,500, Land and improvements(LE
49:460).
1883
Atlas shows owner as LeRoy King, 50,673 sq. ft. wood
house on corner, larger lot.
1884
Wood house moved to south end of lot or demolished.
November 22 1885 The Newport Mercury reports that plans
have been drawn for a new brick villa and the foundation
has been poured.
1884-1885
House erected. Plans by McKim, Mead, and White.
William Underwood, contractor.
1893
Altas shows owner as LeRoy King, 50,673 sq. ft. Brick
house on corner, wood house to south.
1895
LeRoy King dies.
1907
Atlas shows owner as Ethel R. King, 53, 877 square
feet, same.
1921
Atlas shows owner as Ethel R. King, same.
1925
Ethel R. King dies. House is passed to heirs.
1971
Ethel King Russell dies. House is willed to son, John
Howland Russell.
1984
House sold to Josiah and Diana Bunting.
Ref: Lippincott, Bert. (2006 February 23). Berkeley House.
(Institutional House History). Newport Historical Society,
Newport, RI.
Collection information
There are no restrictions on access, except that the
collection can only be seen by prior appointment.
Researchers are advised that express written permission to
reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or
extract from this collection must be obtained from Newport
Historical Society. Although NHS has physical ownership of
the collection and the materials contained therein, it does
not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to
determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain
any necessary permissions from them.
Berkeley House collection , MS.2012.33, Newport Historical
Society.
This collection contains 4 architectural drawings and
specifications, personal artwork, and household receipts
related to LeRoy King and his residence, Berkeley House.
The receipts, which make up a bulk of the collection, are a
comprehensive view into the work and life of running a
household and being a part of Newport Society at the turn of
the 20th century. The business of everyday life is cataloged
and recorded with local and national vendors, purveyors and
service providers, including Western Union Telegraph Co., Caswell Massey and Co.,
McKim, Mead, and
White, the Old
Colony Steamboat Co., and the Newport Daily News. Also
represented are memberships to social, intellectual and
religious institutions including Trinity Church, Redwood Library, the Newport Business Men's
Association, and The Newport Natural History Society. Receipts of
administrative business are present including taxes and fees
to the City, utility bills, servant wages, house
maintenance, and horse care.
Also included are two notes of received payment from
Edward R. Wharton,
husband of Edith Wharton.
The collection is arranged into two series:
- 1. Berkeley House records, 1881-1895,
undated
- 2. Artwork, undated