The Paine House Museum

The Paine House Museum Owned and operated by The Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society. A former Colonial home and Inn, restored and furnished in the period-style. Mr. Zilpha W.

Open seasonally from May through November for house tours and public events. The Paine house originally was built around 1691 by Samuel Bennett. Samuel ran a saw mill at this site and it is believed that the house began as a one room shelter. The mode for travel at that time was the Pawtuxet River. The property was passed to his son Samuel and in 1741 the first town meeting and election took place

here. In 1742 the property was sold to Francis Brayton who added to the house and was granted a license to sell spiritous liquors and the house became a house of entertainment, an inn or a tavern. After his death in 1783 the property passed to his son Francis Brayton Jr. In 1785 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 April 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. 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. The house was added to the National Historic Register in 1974.

Members, it’s time to renew your membership. Please submit your renewal by July 1, 2026 if you haven't already done so.I...
06/16/2026

Members, it’s time to renew your membership. Please submit your renewal by July 1, 2026 if you haven't already done so.

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.
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A great big thank you to our Strawberry Shortcake Tea Team at the Paine House Museum! To our volunteers who made the eve...
06/15/2026

A great big thank you to our Strawberry Shortcake Tea Team at the Paine House Museum! To our volunteers who made the event so successful!! From organization, to set up, to hat decorating, to photography, to mowing the lawn, watering the flowers, and making everything just lovely for this event!
*To members of Girl Scout Troop #38 who set up the tables, served the food and stayed to clean up and move tables back inside! We could not have done it without you!!!
*To the Dancing Witches of Rhode Island!! Who provided the dancing entertainment as well as the fashion show - plus the historic guest at the end!! (Thanks Zack!)
*To Girl Scout Kelsey who presented her program on the Historic Medicinal Garden she created at the Paine House.
*To the Rhode Island Spinners Guild - your support is always a welcome addition and we appreciate you braving the heat!
And of course to Westerly Community Credit Union for sponsoring this event!
Did I miss anybody.....probably. There are so many people working together. THANK YOU for a wonderful afternoon!

Don't forget your tickets to the Paine House Paranormal Investigation. Email info@westernrihistory.org
06/12/2026

Don't forget your tickets to the Paine House Paranormal Investigation.
Email [email protected]

06/05/2026
Come and join us at the Fire Alarm Building (Historic Town Clerk’s Office) for free rug hooking. 1111 Main St., Coventr...
05/31/2026

Come and join us at the Fire Alarm Building (Historic Town Clerk’s Office) for free rug hooking. 1111 Main St., Coventry. Here ‘til 4.

Address

7 Station St
Coventry, RI
02816

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+14012031457

Website

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