gilbert stuart museum

Visiting here was such a pleasure; docent Pam was absolutely smart and charming. The tour includes a house tour, water mill tour, and art gallery. Setting is very peaceful; it's like stepping back in time. Thank you, GSM, for preserving this special spot of a beloved American painter.

This has been on my to-do list for Rhode Island for years. Somehow though I'm never able to make it there when it's open. This time was different!I was there early on a Sunday morning - before the official "open" time, but the docent was ready to go and so most of my tour was a one-on-one experience!The history and back story of the property is fascinating. The two different mills - one for snuff and one for corn/grain, the architecture, the historic nature of the inhabitants - Gilbert Stuart & subsequent owners and their parts in the history of our nation and the state of Rhode Island - were covered knowledgeably and cheerfully by the docent. The property has a small hiking trail, that winds past the beginnings of the Narrow River (home to baby herring & other fish, lots of birds from chickadees to great blue herons & kingfishers and creatures like turtles and frogs, chipmunks and raccoons). There are some picnic tables, a small kitchen herb garden, bird feeders and a bat house. The new building holds the gift shop and a lovely gallery space. When I was there, there was a show of local artists as well as a couple of Stuart's paintings.The staff is cheerful and helpful. I misplaced my glasses and the kids in period costume as well as a staff member helped me look for them.Thanks for the lovely morning!

My kids and I were out on an adventure yesterday and we came to the Gilbert Stuart Museum. It is so interesting and the landscape is really refreshing. My 3 girls and I enjoyed it all, we learned about the painter and his family's business. Our tour guide, John Thompson, was most certainly informative, cheerful and enjoyable for my kids and I. Thanks for the lessons in history!Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!

Such an informative tour! We learned so much from this guide. Not only the history of a wonderful presidential portrait painter, which truly was interesting, but information about the two water wheels, the mill, the house, & the origin of things we say every day. Most informative & so enjoyable.

My family went on our Fourth of July holiday. It was pouring rain. The tour guide was incredible and was very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the historic home and the grounds. My family and I loved it so much we got a family membership! We will be returning!

We have lived in Saunderstown for seven years and for some strange reason have never toured this beautiful place. Last Friday we went to an art opening by a nature photographer named Ed Hughes. A wonderful show in an idyllic spot. The new gallery is beautiful. Clean and open with lots of light. As my husband and I are both artists, we really appreciated it.We walked around the lovely grounds ,where you are transported back to another era. The people who work and volunteer there are to be commended. We will be back and plan on becoming members.

this was a real pleasant surprise,,,,,not only the birthplace of the presidential portrait painter, but the site of 2 water-powered mills, that his father ran - tour guide loaded with into, we had a mixed group on a Friday - ages 10 to 70, and he engaged all, also has a "herring ladder", didn't have time to do the walking trails, staff in gift shop very nice, and friendly, nice things to buy as a memento - would do again, enjoy your visit

This Museum has it all, fantastic and moving house museum experience, see the actual room wher Gilber Sturat was born! Out side working mills (former snuff mill, pretty exciting just that) and acres of walking trails. Magical.

In an area not too far from historic sites that receive lots of attention (Mystic Seaport CT, Newport Mansions, RI) exists the birthplace of American portrait artist Gilbert Stuart in a tranquil, rural, farm setting. We were driving south along 1A when we saw the sign for the museum and hit the brakes. A few miles inland, cars were parked on the side of the road and people were hiking to an unseen destination. We had happened upon Opening Day for the 2013 season at the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum. Our good fortune. This event has docents in all rooms - including members of their Young Docents program ages 10 to18- an excellent program that more museums should initiate. George Washington and Gilbert Stuart were both in attendance at the opening, and we enjoyed our conversations with them. Improv History Conversations are awesome! The weather that day was Perfect, herring were in the run, and the grass was lush green along a rushing stream that propels their grist mill.For this event, johnnycakes were being cooked outdoors, and demonstrations of spinning, weaving and more were taking place in the main house. But even if you don't visit on opening day, this is a wonderful place to visit with its home, grist mill, snuff mill in the basement, rushing stream, pond and wooded paths. I never knew that snuff was "milled". (Gilbert's parents had a snuff mill in the basement.) ..and they had to close down the snuff mill because they ran out ofglass. Glass. Not tobacco. They were unable to get glass jars to package their snuff. I guess they should have offered a 5 cent Deposit Return for their containers. The only rather odd (Insulting?) part of the visit was when we parked our car. We mentioned to the official in the parking lot that we were excited to happen to see the small roadside sign, but that we didn't expect to see so many visitors at the museum. He told us that we had arrived on opening day for 2013. Then he asked where we were from. When we responded the name of our southern state of residence, he asked us: "Do you know who Gilbert Stuart was?"I was shocked but responded- with obvious annoyance- "Do you mean to say that you think that we don't know who Gilbert Stuart is because we're from ARKANSAS??? He back-peddled quickly and tried to tell me that *LOTS* of visitors to the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum don't know who Gilbert Stuart is. Right. I can see it now."Honey! STOP!!""What? Why?""We just passed a sign for the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum"!!!!"Who's that?""I don't know! But admission is only $10 each and we HAVE to go visit!!!"

Now this is truly a little gem of a place; locals have known about it and have NOT neglected it (it just celebrated the 75th anniversary of its restoration). Gilbert Stuart--known to all as the painter of Presidents if nothing else--came from very strong roots, and the tour shows it. Come in the spring when the flowers are lovely, and enjoy the house and Snuff Mill experience,

Demonstrations of daily life in Stuarts day were well-executed. Visitors will never look at a $1 bill (with Stuart's portrait of Washington) in quite the same way again.

Beautiful sight to see all the herring jumping up the fish ladder. Lovely, working water wheel. Nice walking trail.

I think it was in Sept of 2010 (allready!) that they had a visit from the painter himself. It was one of the best times I had all summer. Gilbert Stuart and George Washington himself were there. Everyone knows that Stuart had his own strong opinions about General Washington!!!

We love this quaint picturesque spot! Stopped here on a tour of lesser known, quirky New England sights researched by my then boyfriend. He loved it so much he thought it would be a perfect place to get married- so we did! (eventually!) Peggy in the museum is so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The grounds are very nice - perfect for a picnic, small hike, or renting a rowboat and fishing on Carr pond (check ahead of time though- can only rent at certain times). The docents on the weekends are local school kids who volunteer. I was speaking to a girl today who's volunteered there since she was a little kid- she's so tall now she's been through several costumes (they all dress in period clothing). A tour is relatively short, and your stay here cam be as brief or long as you plan for, all they ask is a small donation for the upkeep. They also have a page on face book, which has more pics, and lists events like nature hikes and opening ceremonies. The Museum is not open year round- just May-October.