The Fenner House is an absolutely wonderful, comfortable, and fascinating place. It is beautifully decorated in colonial furnishings that reflect its place in history. It smells so lovely, like aged wood and autumn by the hearth – a scent that should be pirated by Yankee Candle. The living room is a great place to relax and contemplate the architecture or life in general. The dining room makes one feel that Paul Revere is going to stop in for a bite. The kitchen is well-appointed with plenty of storage space for your Pop-Tarts and everything one might need to prepare a fabulous meal.
The bedrooms are cozy with comfortable beds, great furnishings, and room for all your petticoats, puffy shirts, and wigs. The bathrooms seamlessly blend style with modern creature comforts and feel spa-like. The washer and dryer ensure you will have clean duds after avoiding sharks* at the beach. The AC units keep you cool and comfortable in the heat of summer.
There are also nooks and crannies everywhere that would make an English muffin jealous. The outdoor space is lovely – perfect for relaxing and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful landscape.
Above all, it’s the history of the house that’s the icing on the cake. You must do the self-guided tour. And if, like me, you have a tween you like to annoy, give your kids a quiz at the end. My son was able to chat with his grandfather about floor joists, sleeping rooms, window panes, governors, Oliver Cromwell, and Native Americans with gusto. We sat in the living room, gazing around, imagining what it was like to live here. And before all the modern conveniences were installed that we take for granted today.
Cranston is an easy drive to Boston, Newport, Providence, and Cape Code. Mr. Fenner was a pleasure to work with and answered all questions in a timely manner.
*We didn’t know Cape Cod = seal (and therefore great white shark) hot-spot. How exciting to spot a purple shark flag after pahking the cah, and enjoy the show of seals all day. There was a shark sighting at our location. A man was swimming well past where the seals were cruising along and refused the lifeguard’s repeated pleas that he return to shallower waters. Lucky for him he did not get chomped. Cue lesson to the children about whether or not certain individuals improve the gene pool.
My favorite feature of all? Once home I ordered myself my own tricorn hat. We could all use a little more colonial spirit these days.