The Friends of the Allen-Madison House was formed in 2001 to help protect and preserve the historic Allen-Madison House, built in 1801, with property ties dating back to 1671. In cooperation with the Quonset Development Corporation, the Friends raised funds for restoration and organized research, reports, educational materials, and public events. The organization dissolved in 2019, leaving the property under Navy ownership, with contamination requiring remediation.
Historical NoteThe Allen-Madison House traces its origins to 1665 when Robert Westcote purchased the land from the Narragansett people and built a house in 1671. Westcote was killed in King Philip’s War in 1676. Judge John Allen purchased the property in 1769, serving as a farmer, merchant, state representative, senator, and Supreme Court justice. During the Revolutionary War, he supported the American cause, smuggling supplies to the patriots. The British burned his home in 1779. Allen rebuilt in 1801, with descendants residing there until 1825. Joseph Matteson, the Allens' farm manager, later purchased the property. The Matteson/Madison family lived there for over 80 years. The U.S. Navy acquired the property in 1941 as part of Quonset Point Naval Air Station operations. The house served as the residence of the Commander of the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center. Since 1999, the Quonset Development Corporation has managed the property.
This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the North Kingstown Free Library.
Copyright has not been assigned to North Kingstown Free Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be obtained by the researcher from the copyright holder.
[item title], Friends of the Allen-Madison House records, 2025.9, North Kingstown Free Library. North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
This collection includes organizational records of the Friends of the Allen-Madison House and historical research and documents related to the property. Meeting minutes, by-laws, and annual reports document administrative functions. Historical items include archaeological reports, family histories, maps, research reports, photographs, and videos. Educational materials and recordings of events are also included.
The items are organized into three series: I. Artifacts, II. Audiovisual and Digital Materials, and III. Administrative and Subject Files. The files in series III are organized alphabetically by subject.
Gift of the Friends of the Allen-Madison House, December 2025.
The collection was processed by Tom Frawley from December 2025 to January 2026.
No accruals are expected.