The Manor House

The Manor House, historic center of the estate that forms the core of the monastery grounds, is getting renovated. The Board of Regents for the School, together with the monastery, recently approved a significant renovation of the historic building, beginning in April 2022. The structure was the center of Leonard Sargent’s original property acquisition, serving the first Portsmouth monastic community in its early years. The grounds and school were expanded out from that center, which saw the creation of the old monastery buildings, the chapel, and several classroom buildings. These were subsequently mostly demolished as the campus and monastery progressively migrated to the east, with the construction of St. Benet’s dormitory, the old gymnasium, and the later development of Belluschi monastery and campus buildings that now serve as the heart of the monastery and School. The Manor House, however, has remained, serving an array of purposes including the Alumni House, Admissions, the School library, guest rooms, faculty offices and apartments, and a girls dormitory.

 

 

Fr. Leonard Sargent in front of Manor House

The renovation is to focus on the replacement of exterior siding, including repair to any damaged wood, and will include repainting the building as well as the installation of a new roof. The announcement of the work notice states that, “Providence-based Keough Construction Management, a firm specializing in owners' representation, construction management and design-build services, will oversee the project. Keough also supervised construction of the School's new Science building.” The work is expected to commence with fire-retardant interior painting followed by refurbishment of the exterior. This will include the removal of siding on the south wall, with the exterior work continuing apace once students have left for summer break. The final phase of the renovation will be the roof replacement and exterior painting. The building will return to white with black shutters, and fire escapes will be removed in accordance with the fire code. It is hoped that the work project will be completed in August 2022, the summer project wrapping up before School activities resume in the fall.

 

 

Manor House in early years

The Manor House was designed by the noted architect Richard Upjohn, and built in 1864 by Amos D. Smith, a Providence businessman. The building is a 2½-story, mansard-roofed structure with several interior, brick chimneys; gabled dormers; an arched, open porch; and fine detailing. George D. Hall later bought the property, known for its distinctive view of the Narragansett Bay and its setting on the western side of Aquidneck Island. After Hall’s untimely death, his widow, Mrs. Laura Hall, decided to give up the property. Father Leonard Sargent, then a monk of Downside Abbey, had returned home to America in hope of founding a Benedictine community. He was notified of this property’s availability on a coincidental visit to Newport. He later wrote that the purchase was virtually settled the very day of his visit, an acquisition that had not been hindered, he suggested, by the dropping of a St. Benedict’s medal upon arrival near the head of Cory’s Lane. The property has subsequently remained under the protection of that saint, and as the community moves forward into its second century, it is with gratitude that we are able to preserve our first residence.