Description: A highly visual and new study of the rustic and whimsical shingled houses of Jamestown, Rhode Island from the colonial era to the development of the town as a picturesque report set in a coastal landscape.
Jamestown, Rhode Island, set in the shimmering waters at the entrance to Narragansett Bay, is marked by cliffs and fields looking out to the sea- a vision of paradise, a place of natural abundance and scenic beauty. For centuries, builders devised architecture that seamlessly rose from and merged back into stony coast and rolling meadows. This island is home to a timeless landscape of pastoral richness and picturesque views; its buildings a testament to those who sought their fortunes and fulfilled their fantasies, within sight of the mainland, but a world apart. In each case, there is a remarkable relationship between the island's topography and its architecture. Through maps, paintings, poetry and prose, this book illustrates the vibrant heritage of Jamestown, its role as a place of refuge and retreat through the ages, a paradise shaped by the visions and labors of its inhabitants.
Review Quotes: Praise for America's Eden
"Beautifully executed, exhaustively researched, and compellingly narrated, [America's Eden] tells the story of Newport's landscape evolution in an accessible and engaging manner.--Patrice Todisco, Leaflet
Praise for Newport: The Artful City
Winner of The Victorian Society in America 2021 Book Award
"A cavalcade of imagery sure to enthrall even the most knowledgeable history buff"--Fred Albert, Newport Life Magazine