Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society

Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society The purpose of this Society shall be the “gathering and preserving early and present day historical materials relating to the western area of Rhode Island. Mr.
(1)

The Paine house originally was built by Francis Brayton Sr. After his death in 1783
the property passed to his son Francis Brayton Jr. In 1785 Francis Brayton Jr was
granted a license to sell spiritous liquors and the house became a house of
entertainment, an inn or a tavern. In 1797 it was sold to a Charles Holden and was
known as the Holden tavern. Holden heirs sold it to Thomas Whipple Apri

l 9, 1849. On April 25, 1866 the Whipple family sold the property to Phebe Paine and Mary
Mathewson (Matteson). Mary sold her half to Phebe Paine Johnson. Through
inheritance the property came to be in the Paine family for the next 87 years. Herbert F. Paine was the last of the family to live in the house and in 1946 after his
death it passed to his half-sister Mrs. Zilpha W. Foster. The keys to the house were turned over to the President of the Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society on
July 24, 1953 after being left by Mrs. Foster as a memorial to her mother Phebe
Paine Johnson and sister Orvilla Paine.

05/25/2026
💥💥💥Heritage Day 💥💥💥
05/16/2026

💥💥💥Heritage Day 💥💥💥

💥💥💥June 20, 2026💥💥💥 💥💥💥Lake Taco💥💥💥
05/16/2026

💥💥💥June 20, 2026💥💥💥
💥💥💥Lake Taco💥💥💥

Reserve your tickets to the May 16 Paranormal Investigation at the Paine House. Email info@westernrihistory.org. Ticke...
05/05/2026

Reserve your tickets to the May 16 Paranormal Investigation at the Paine House. Email [email protected]. Tickets are $35.

Calling all Coventry Students! Enter the Coventry Student Art Contest: "Historical Coventry"!
04/25/2026

Calling all Coventry Students! Enter the Coventry Student Art Contest: "Historical Coventry"!

Dates will fill up fast. Reserve your space.
04/25/2026

Dates will fill up fast. Reserve your space.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DcTT7LwEg/
03/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DcTT7LwEg/

Opening Day is almost here!

Beginning May 2nd, the house will once again be open for tours. We’ve been busy planning an exciting lineup of events for the upcoming season—be sure to follow our social media pages and the Hinterlander for dates and details.

This year, we’re especially excited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States—the Semiquincentennial—marking 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Interested in becoming a member? Simply return the attached form with payment to:

WRICHS
PO Box 2
Coventry, RI 02816

You can also email us at [email protected] for more information.

Membership Rates:
Individual: $15
Family: $25
Student: $10
Senior (65+): $10

We’re also looking for volunteers! Whether you can give a little time or a lot, every bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you’re interested, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Students in need of community service hours for school or scouting are especially welcome—we’d love to have you involved.

For current members, it’s time to renew your membership. Please submit your renewal by July 1, 2026.

Remember - Dine out tomorrow at Olde Theater Diner. Did I mention the Gooey Chocolate Chip Pancakes?! Be a double donor ...
08/04/2025

Remember - Dine out tomorrow at Olde Theater Diner. Did I mention the Gooey Chocolate Chip Pancakes?! Be a double donor - eat Breakfast and Dinner at Olde Theater Diner

Address

7 Station St
Coventry, RI
02816

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

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