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Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond

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Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Cranston, RI
  • Rhode Island Convention Center
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Roger Williams Park Zoo
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Brown University
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Providence, RI (PVD-T.F. Green)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

+2
2 Single Beds and 4 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

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.

Property manager

Richard Arthur Fenner
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Parking available
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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 India Point Park 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 Snake Den State Park. Roger Williams Park Carousel Village and Mulligan's Island Golf and Entertainment are also worth visiting.
Map
Cranston, RI

What's nearby

  • Rhode Island Convention Center - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Amica Mutual Pavilion - 9 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Roger Williams Park Zoo - 9 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Providence College - 10 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Brown University - 10 min drive - 9.8 km

Getting around

  • Providence Station - 16 min drive
  • Providence, RI (PVD-T.F. Green) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Subway - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Wrap City Deli & Cafe - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Punjab - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic Colonial Estate | Wooded Grounds + Pond located?

Situated in Cranston, this holiday home is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) from Governor Sprague Mansion and within 6 miles (10 km) of Brown University and Triggs Memorial Golf Course. Garden City Center and Johnson and Wales University are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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 window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 100 out of 120 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 120 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 120 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 120 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 120 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Caitlin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Blast from the past
My family was in town for a wedding we all came from different place and got to stay togther in this beautiful home. The home and property is like stepping back in time. So much history on one property! I highly recommend staying here! highly.reccomsnt sta
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valeria C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
4th of July weekend
Our stay was very good, the owner was very helpful, the house was very comfortable, we really enjoyed it!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second trip into historic Rhode Island
This was our second stay at the Fenner House. It was very comfortable again for our family with two teenagers. We enjoy the history of the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in
Unique Historic Home
We really appreciated the opportunity to "live" in such an historic home, with all the modern amenities.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dwight H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed stay. As a teacher, appreciate the details of this historic home. We loved the property.
The home was historic and the details to keep it authentic was appreciated. We enjoyed our stay and saw a beaver, which was unique.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sharon T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding week
Perfect for our whole family to stay for our son's wedding. Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Perfect New England Experience
Although I was born and raised in Rhode Island, I settled in Texas in 1996 and raised my family there. I was able to bring my fiancé, 5 of my children, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren on a Rhode Island adventure and wanted to find a place that would accent the trip. I struck gold in choosing the Fenner House! The home transported my family and me back to the 17th and 18th century and each one of us loved the experience! The home was tidy, the rates were very fair, and the colonial interior design was amazing! By the time we packed up to leave, there was a sense sadness we all felt. We made lifelong memories that spanned generations and we wished we could stay longer. There is not a thing I would change and no a single improvement I could recommend. Kudos and thank you to the owners of the Major Thomas Fenner House! I highly recommend a stay to any family looking for a great New England experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa L.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Step back in time
Our family of five had a wonderful time in the Fenner House. The stairs to the second floor are steep and creaky, not for anyone with mobility issues. But it was fine for our family.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Garland T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
These walls CAN talk—and they speak the King’s English
If you’re looking for a real opportunity to step back in time, then stay here—a layered cake of structural delights. What were folk doing 112 years before electing George Washington as the first president? Come see.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place to stay, especially if you appreciate history...
Overall, this house is a wonderful place to stay. It has a good location with a Walmart and other conveniences less than 2 miles away. In addition, for a historical house, it is very well kept. The owner was wonderful with contacting me from the beginning and even checking on our family during our stay. Definite 5-stars for the owners. My only caution would be for anyone who has severe allergies, as this is an older home, and because of that, we did take air purifiers with us, which helped a lot for us to be able to stay there because my allergies are extremely severe. But I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on the opportunity to stay in such history. Thank you so much, Fenner family, for opening this up for so many to enjoy.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An amazingly beautiful and historic house!
Everyone enjoyed their stay and the accommodations were fantastic. Every basic needs were supplied, such as bathroom and laundry supplies. The neighborhood was nice and I felt safe taking walks. I have no complaints but I will recommend that you DO NOT LIGHT AN OUTSIDE FIRE IN THE FIRE PIT! The fire department showed up and made us put it out. We were told that it is against city policy. You can light one in the main fireplace. 5 stars on this property!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Experience!
We loved staying at The Thomas Fenner House. It was a truly amazing experience staying in this historic home. Love the Glenwood stove and all the fireplaces. We were a group of 7 and came here to celebrate my son and his fiancée. He proposed to her during the trip at Cliff Walk in Newport. The house had all the necessities we needed and we were comfortable during our stay. Host was very communicative and responsive to any inquiries we had during our stay. Great location and easy access to other areas in Rhode Island that we visited during our trip! I would recommend staying at this house for a trip back in time. A good time was had by all and we left with plenty of memories. Thank you. Yvonne and Nick
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Experience!
Staying at the Major Thomas Fenner House was an awesome experience, that made you feel like you were stepping back into the past. The owner was very attentive to any questions I had, and responded within hours if not minutes from when I’d reach out to him with an inquiry. I loved the guided tour book of the house that was located on the coffee table in the living room that the owner out together. I learned from the guide that members of the Fenner family relocated from Rhode Island to Herkimer County…which is where I live!!! The house, inside and out was well taken care of. Once again, awesome experience!!! Thank you for everything!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Holly E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you for preserving this home for overnight guests
I live in Warwick, RI and needed a place for my sister, her husband and 3 children, ages 12-13, to stay for a few days. They were touring New England for their annual summer vacation. This was a perfect place for them to stay to get a more visceral experience of RI and its history. As we opened the key-lock door the smell of over 400 years of wood fires greeted us. I had printed out the informative tour that owner Richard Fenner included on VRBO for his guests. We followed with whetted appetite as we explored nooks and crannies of the house and grounds. My engineer brother-in-law especially enjoyed examining the building structure and exclaimed about the wide width of the floor planks! Nice job on blending the old with contemporary comforts of up to date washer/drye, shower and room AC!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura R.

American History with Great Contemporary Features!
Six family members and I stayed here over Memorial Day weekend for my son’s college graduation. It was close enough to the freeway to get us to Providence, Newport and Bristol, but we never heard car traffic. I am an American History nut and walking back in time and into this home was a magical experience. From it huge fireplaces to the original floors, it was easy to imagine family life in the late 1600s. Follow the self-guided tour. It was fascinating. On the other hand, the kitchen and bathrooms were contemporary — I loved the showers with their “rain” showerhead features. Dishwasher, laundry and kitchen appliances were great to have! We were treated to an especially unique event when a momma snapping turtle made its way from the pond to lay eggs near the back patio...leaving only after making sure her eggs were properly covered. If I ever find myself back in the area, I will go back to Major Fenner’s home for another stay, it was a special experience!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Luann W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful historic home!
We stayed last week for the occasion of my son's wedding in Rehoboth, MA. This home is beautifully maintained and the owner has preserved its historical history and character while providing the modern conveniences of A/C, bathrooms and kitchen that are updated and easy to use. My husband loved the history of the house (which is there to read) and I loved the 1600 ambiance. We had a total of 5 adults there for a week and a local friend who stayed 2 nights with us and we all had plenty of room. We used the fireplace only once, but what a thrill to light a few logs on the huge fireplace and listen to the crackle! The home was spotless with plenty of cleaning supplies provided so we could tidy up as the week went along. The location was great as we were central to the wedding and rehearsal dinner locations in North Dighton and Rehoboth. We also went to Newport, Providence and Fall River (Pier 52 is a great place for dinner by the water) as we were not far from any of these places. Thank you to the host (who is very responsive to questions) for making this historical home a comfortable place to stay and enjoy! It is a gem in our book! Hope to stay there again when we come back to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Bradford R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home but neighborhood issues
The house was amazing. Old vintage and just a beautiful piece of history. No better place to celebrate our great uncles 100th birthday. But if you plan on staying beware the neighbors. So here we go. When we arrived there was a nice fire pit, we were asked to keep the fires small and we did. However anything bigger then a match was an issue with the lady next door. It rained alot so we only had 3 small fires to make smores and just talk. The neighbor was not happy about this. So one day we went out and when we returned the fire pit was gone. The owner apparently sent someone over to fill in the pit and planted a small shrub. I was quite disappointed that i was not advised of this. It was a rental positive for us. But anyway the neighbor was complaining so much i gather this was a fix for her constant complaining. The owner said the cops were called. We never had any contact with police. On july 4th the neighborhood was explosive with fireworks. It was amazing and a beautiful site. Back to the neighbor. We were cooking on the grill on the opposite side of the yard near the barn far from nosey nelly the neighbor. But she still called the fire department on us. Yes the fire department showed up came in and we spoke. The fire lieutenant and his crew were very very upset that they were called when we were simply cooking on a grill. We offered food to the firemen and invited them back later if they got hungry. The fire department went to the neighbor's house and advised her if she called them again for this nonsense she would receive a 500.00 fine from the city for every call. The fire department told me this was there 10th call in 3 weeks from this lady. I dont think there will be an 11th call. Also the other neighbors dog isabel like to come over and poop 2 or 3 times a day. I got a little tired if picking up after isabel. So if you want to stay in an amazing piece of history this is the house for you. I cant say enough about this amazing home. But the neighbor will be a major issue. So keep noise down and beaware when cooking on the grill. But i dont thing the fire department will be called again.
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Vacation Home for History & Comfort.
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Candice B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow
Great communication with Richard during this entire process. The property is a history lesson in and of itself - very surreal for my family. We enjoyed our stay, and definitely recommend this property to all cultures of people to take in all the intricate details of the property, and Rhode Island's historic past.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bryan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Step Back in Time
This property is amazing. It’s such an old building, but it’s kept in phenomenal shape. The only deterrent would be the smokiness in the air from the fireplace, if you have asthma it may cause some breathing issues for sure. Other than that though there is nothing negative I can say about the place. The property is huge and offers plenty of space to spread out — both inside AND out! The outdoor area was a highlight for our group especially. Richard was great with answering any questions we had leading up to our check-in. It’s also within 20-30mins of the beaches! I would highly recommend this property for anyone looking to get away in Rhode Island.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming experience!
We came from Texas and enjoyed our visit to the Fenner house. Plenty of space for our whole family. We enjoyed learning about the history of the house and the area. Very charming experience-
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Salli C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
historical home
I booked this property because of the history of the property. I wanted a unique experience outside standard hotel rooms. What a treat. Everyone in my family thoroughly enjoyed the home. We walked around the inside of the home and discovered something new every time. The floors are original from late 1600's so if this is not your scene - I wouldn't recommend this property. But if you have an appreciation for things still around for over 300 plus years (including trees in the backyard) I would highly recommend this property. We had my grandson (who is 10 months old and very curious) with us and had to watch him very carefully while crawling on the floor because of the uneven floor boards but we put a large blanket on the floor and he was just fine. The hosts were so accommodating to our needs and communication was excellent. Thank you Richard for opening your family home and heritage to us.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Tiffany P., Reinbeck, IA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lots of space and interesting place!
We enjoyed our stay in this historic home. We had plenty of space for our group of 6. The instructions to enter and lock the house we very clear. Communication with and instructions from the host were excellent. We had no complaints other than a few things could have been cleaner. We had an odd experience with a neighbor yelling “no fires” while we were simply walking around exploring the yard. We weren't planning to make a fire, as that was in the instructions for the house. Overall our experience was great. The description is very clear that this house has it’s idiosyncrasies that come with an old, historic home. We found the house charming and interesting. It was a step back in time, while at the same time a comfortable stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
This is a wonderful historic property. It’s like sleeping in a museum. A terrific step back in time.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Terrie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Step back in time!
This house was absolutely amazing! So much history. I am from Rhode Island and learned so much staying here! The home is beautiful, cozy, and clean. The yard which is also has a small lake is huge and we all had so much fun playing outside games! This will be my go to place when I go back to see my family! 💜💜💜
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

About the host

Hosted by Richard Arthur Fenner

Host profile image
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

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests