Eliza Ward House 1814
2 George Street, Providence, RI 02906

Many have said that 2 George, located at the intersection with Benefit Street, has the best location on the East Side of Providence. It is in the middle of the “mile of history” and within a short walk to historic and cultural centers such as the Stephen Hopkins House, Providence Athenaeum,  Hope Club, University Club, Rhode Island School of Design, the world renowned RISD Art Museum, Brown University, the Providence Art Club and the First Baptist Church in America. Just further, but still within walking distance, is downtown Providence and the many fine restaurants and galleries. During summer and fall, a quick stroll brings you to the award winning Waterfire with sparkling bonfires on three rivers, enchanting music, and fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke. This property at 2 George Street is truly at the center hub of the wheel of influence in the vibrant Renaissance city of Providence.

This beautiful Brick Federal masterpiece was built for Eliza Ward by her father, Joseph Brown in 1814. You will get the feel of that era when you view for the first time the most significant interior feature from Eliza Ward’s ownership. That is the Early19th Century French scenic wallpaper in the two parlors which have been lovingly preserved and cared for by the home’s owners. The present owners completed a major restoration to preserve this historical gem for people to witness. They have even opened the home during several of the Providence Preservation Society’s Tours of Homes.

However, to get there, you must enter through a commanding eight-panel door with side lights and elliptical top light.  Your first sight inside is a stunning staircase with elaborate and delicate details. You may fall into the same rapture as the present owner, who stated, “When my architect husband first entered the house and gazed up in amazement at the beautiful staircase, I knew then that this would be our home!”

The house is multilevel with a wonderful library located just down from the entry level, and, because the property is located on the hill of the East Side, the main living area is up that wonderful staircase. This home offers a stunning setting for grand entertaining with a wonderful flow from the center hallway to the parlors or to the dining room and outside into the garden.  A large party of 36 could easily dine at round tables in the dining and breakfast rooms.There is elaborate and extensive wood trim delicate in scale throughout the house with paneling, molding, reeding, and folding inside shutters adding to the charm. There are 7 working fireplaces with beautiful mantels – from marble to simple wood panels in the parlors, library, dining room, and in the bedrooms.  The property also has an elevator bringing you from the back entrance to the kitchen level, to the second floor and to the third floor for convenience.

This is a home that melds a perfect blend of the past into the present and beyond. It truly is one of a kind.