While we were excited to celebrate the 40th Festival of Historic Houses in 2020, unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted group activities. Thus, we will instead celebrate the 40th Festival on June 5, 2021 by showcasing a charming corner of the College Hill National Historic Landmark District. 

Keene Street and Lloyd Avenue are an intimate part of the tree-lined neighborhoods north of Brown University between Angell and Olney Streets. The earliest houses in this area appeared in the 1850s and, by the 1870s, ample Second Empire and Italianate style houses dotted the neighborhood. The building boom of the 1880s and 1890s saw a blend of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival houses, all comfortable in size, rich in detail, and set back from the streets to allow for a dense landscape of flora. The proximity to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design also attracted professors to this burgeoning enclave, while the nearby Thayer Street commercial district provided household needs and entertainment.

We hope you will join us as we explore these lovingly preserved homes and gardens next summer!