The Rhode Island’s House on Rock: Clingstone

We have so far here talked about one of the strangest to amazing pieces of architectural works that stand stall on earth, float on the water, fly up in the air, few who never reached their destined heights and lots others. However this vintage 106-year-old mansion in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay that rests on a rock right in the middle of water, defies all incredible marvels of constructions across the globe with its beauty and poise.

Owned by a 79 year old architect named Henry Wood who hails from Boston, this three storied house that is infamous as Clingstone, came to life in 1905 when Mr. Wood’s distant cousin, J.S. Lovering Wharton clubbed with an artist, William Trost Richards, to create a house of picture windows with 23 rooms on three stories radiating off a vast central hall. With $36,982.99 spent over a period of time, and remaining empty for two decades, the beautiful mansion was finally purchased by Mr Woods and his ex-wife Joan in 1961 for $3,600. Worth and investment, Clingstone now stands on a heap of staggering $4 millions worth of money.

Clingstone is a home to Mr Wood’s family; his son, grandchildren, daughter in law (Anne Tait) and Mr Woods himself. 10 bedrooms across the three floors perfectly accommodate its inhabitants offering the most amazing picturesque splendor across the widespread waters. The view of Newport Bridge from the windows of the Ping-Pong room, to the left of the fireplace is a favorite spot of the kids. The dining room table in the house has ample space for 14. For electricity there is a photovoltaic cell charges a bank of batteries in the basement. The Jamestown Boatyard heaves the family boats and floating dock.

An interesting tradition, the Clingstone work weekend, held every year around Memorial Day keeps the house as fresh as ever when around 70 friends and Clingstone lovers get together for errands like washing all 65 windows to cleaning up the entire house. Refinishing the dining chairs is a part of this practice too.

Clingstone has had its share of history over a period of years and Mr. Woods ensures to keep them all alive by maintaining a fat scrapbook of photographs and newspaper clippings that document its best moments. So feast your eyes with a few more breathtaking shots of this house on rocks along with an early sketch that shows the plan on how this remarkable architecture was developed.