Entire home
Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond
Photo gallery for Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond





Reviews
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 102400 sq ft
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
6 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 1
1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Queen Bed
Dormer
1 Single Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Kitchen
Separate dining area
About this property
Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond
The Major Thomas Fenner House is a 17th century National Historic Register property, secluded in a picturesque, wooded ‘plat’ beside a pond in the Providence suburb of Cranston, Rhode Island. It is the ancestral home of our Fenner family, members of which played instrumental roles in the founding of the Colony and, subsequently, the American Revolution.
We’ve arranged the house to sleep up to ten, across four bedrooms and two bathrooms (i.e. eight adults and two children). Original art and antiques adorn the property in manner that complements its historic character. It is an architectural rarity as one of the few remaining ‘stone ender’ structues in North America, and features an ancient fireplace of remarkable scale and elegance.
The House is is perfect for romantic getaways, artists’ retreats, and families (including behaved and well-tended children) interested to explore its historic character and surroundings. Guests avail of the full kitchen and formal dining room, or barbeque, and dine on the back terrace in seasonal weather.
Our family has made very effort to ensure modern guests’ comfort, while abiding by good conservation practices and maintaince of a period ambiance. Nevertheless, you may encounter critters, drafts and suchlike, as might be expected in a nearly four-hundred year old house, surrounded by woods and wetlands. Therein is another layer of charm, for those with the requisite fortitude and discernment.
The House’s current guise as a short term rental supports our family’s ambition to preserve this important piece of American history. We invite guests to support us in our endeavour by treating the property with facination, respect and care. Guests are responsible for any damage to the House or its contents.
We’ve arranged the house to sleep up to ten, across four bedrooms and two bathrooms (i.e. eight adults and two children). Original art and antiques adorn the property in manner that complements its historic character. It is an architectural rarity as one of the few remaining ‘stone ender’ structues in North America, and features an ancient fireplace of remarkable scale and elegance.
The House is is perfect for romantic getaways, artists’ retreats, and families (including behaved and well-tended children) interested to explore its historic character and surroundings. Guests avail of the full kitchen and formal dining room, or barbeque, and dine on the back terrace in seasonal weather.
Our family has made very effort to ensure modern guests’ comfort, while abiding by good conservation practices and maintaince of a period ambiance. Nevertheless, you may encounter critters, drafts and suchlike, as might be expected in a nearly four-hundred year old house, surrounded by woods and wetlands. Therein is another layer of charm, for those with the requisite fortitude and discernment.
The House’s current guise as a short term rental supports our family’s ambition to preserve this important piece of American history. We invite guests to support us in our endeavour by treating the property with facination, respect and care. Guests are responsible for any damage to the House or its contents.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Parking available
Fireplace
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- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Pet-friendly
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Adults only
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number RE.02514-STR, 12/27/2025
About the area
Cranston
Cranston is home to this holiday home. Triggs Memorial Golf Course and Topgolf are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Roger Williams Park Zoo and Lincoln Woods State Park. WaterFire Arts Center and Providence Performing Arts Center are also worth visiting.

Cranston, RI
What's nearby
- Cerbo Square - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
- Neutaconkanut Hill Park - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
- Silver Lake Memorial Park - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
- Governor Sprague Mansion - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
- Garden City Center - 6 min drive - 7.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Subway - 15 min walk
- Dunkin' - 3 min drive
- McDonald's - 17 min walk
- 7-Eleven - 10 min walk
- The Original Italian Bakery - 10 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.6/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
30 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Valeria C.
9 Jul, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
4th of July weekend
Valeria C.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Dwight H.
23 Jul, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed stay. As a teacher, appreciate the details of this historic home. We loved the property.
Dwight H.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
6 Jun, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in
Unique Historic Home
Verified traveller
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lisa L.
6 Apr, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second trip into historic Rhode Island
Lisa L.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Caitlin P.
23 Sept, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Blast from the past
Caitlin P.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sharon T.
20 Oct, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding week
Sharon T.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019
10/10 Excellent
Lisa L.
23 Jun, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Step back in time
Lisa L.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Garland T.
15 Jan, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
These walls CAN talk—and they speak the King’s English
Garland T.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
10/10 Excellent
Heather K.
19 Aug, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place to stay, especially if you appreciate history...
Heather K.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Mark M.
19 May, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An amazingly beautiful and historic house!
Mark M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
10/10 Excellent
Yvonne T.
12 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Experience!
Yvonne T.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Melissa J.
29 Sept, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Experience!
Melissa J.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Holly E.
6 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you for preserving this home for overnight guests
Holly E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael P.
18 Jul, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Perfect New England Experience
Michael P.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Laura R.
1 Jun, 2018
American History with Great Contemporary Features!
Laura R.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
10/10 Excellent
Luann W.
30 Jun, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful historic home!
Luann W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jen F.
6 Sept, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Vacation Home for History & Comfort.
Jen F.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
8/10 Good
Bradford R.
18 Jul, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home but neighborhood issues
Bradford R.
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
Candice B.
19 Sept, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow
Candice B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Bryan K.
25 Aug, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Step Back in Time
Bryan K.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Julie W.
5 Aug, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming experience!
Julie W.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Salli C.
20 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
historical home
Salli C.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
8/10 Good
Tiffany P., Reinbeck, IA
1 Apr, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lots of space and interesting place!
Tiffany P.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael M.
12 Dec, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
Michael M.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
About the host
Hosted by Richard Arthur Fenner
Richard and Kathleen are originally East Coasters. Richard from New England and Kathy from Delaware. They are living in Southern CA now and work in residential Real Estate. They have one handsome son living and working in London in the political/economics field
Why they chose this property
Richard has been involved in genealogy for a number of years which led to him learning of the existance of the Major Thomas Fenner House built by his 7th great grandfather Major Thomas and his father Capt. Arthur. He contacted the owners and let them know if they were ever to sell he would be interested. Even though the Home is on the Registry of Historic Places that does not provide protection. At the time the owner's were ready to sell there was also a developer looking to buy the property and build a condo complex in place of the House. The owner's picked a great time to sell to which means Richard picked a bad time to buy ... the peak of the Real Estate market in 2006. Anyway ... enough whining. He loves the House and hope you do too.
What makes this property unique
Absorb the ambience of living in the 1600s, but with modern bathrooms and kitchen. Spring in Rhode Island is a time of reawakening with trees budding, flowers emerging and bears awakening from their dens (just kidding). The summer months are generally delightful particularly when you have five A/C units for the occasional too hot and humid days. Rhode Island shows its brightest colors in October. Western and northern Rhode Island are heavily wooded. Blackstone Valley region includes the towns of Pawtucket, home of Slater Mill, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America. The Blackstone Valley Explorer river boat offers trips on the river into mid-October. Beautiful foliage will be on display at Roger Williams Park and Zoo in Providence; and at Blithewold Mansion & Gardens in Bristol. In South County, a great scenic drive is Route 1 and Route 1A from Westerly to Wickford. Winters in Rhode Island are crisp and clear with a fair amount of snow. Luckily we have a plowing service to keep access to the property open at all times and a 2015 gas heating system with dual zone NEST thermostats to keep you comfortable when indoors.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
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