Governor Stephen Hopkins House, Providence

Governor Stephen Hopkins House, Providence (must see)

Step into Providence鈥檚 oldest surviving home, a living monument to early American history. Known as the Stephen Hopkins House, this residence honors its remarkable namesake. Hopkins wasn鈥檛 just any colonist: he signed the Declaration of Independence, served as Rhode Island鈥檚 Governor not once but ten times, and even held roles as Chief Justice and a delegate to both the Colonial and Continental Congresses.

In 1743, Hopkins bought and expanded this home, residing here until his death in 1785. He played a key role in shaping Providence鈥檚 civic and economic foundation. By the time he added his signature to the Declaration of Independence, he was nearly 70 and battling what is thought to have been Parkinson鈥檚 Disease. Despite his trembling hand, he famously declared, 鈥淢y hand trembles, my heart does not.鈥�

One of the house鈥檚 most memorable moments came on April 5, 1776, when George Washington himself stayed overnight. Hopkins himself was away, so his daughter-in-law hosted the General. Local lore has it she refused to borrow fine china for the occasion, saying what was good enough for her father-in-law was good enough for Washington.

Today, visitors can stand in the room where Washington slept and learn about Hopkins鈥� extraordinary life. The home, recognized as both a National Register site and a National Historic Landmark, preserves the legacy of a man who dedicated himself to both Rhode Island and the founding of a new nation.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Governor Stephen Hopkins House
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves 鈥� founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Brown University Walking Tour

Chief among the iconic landmarks contributing to the cultural atmosphere of Providence, Rhode Island, is Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution known for its liberal arts education and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1764, this is the seventh-oldest university in the United States, chartered before the American Revolution.

Brown's historic campus offers a classic New... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Along the banks of the Providence River sits one of New England鈥檚 oldest and most storied settlements. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a bold dissenter fleeing Massachusetts Bay Colony, it initially began as a sanctuary of religious freedom. Williams believed this haven was revealed through divine mercy鈥攈ence the name 鈥淧rovidence.鈥� Over time, the city grew from its humble beginnings... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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