Built in Sumner Hill’s first period of development, this Italianate home sits away from the street as any suburban retreat should. The house was built in 1854 for Luther Gilbert, a grocer who co-owned stores around Boston under the firm Gilbert & Knight. The home is possibly the first true Italianate style home in the neighborhood, a deviation from the popular Greek Revival style common for merchants in the decades before. The home was eventually purchased in 1877 by Elias Hook of Hook & Hastings a major organ manufacturer. The company did very well, supplying organs to churches all over the county and was said to be the largest organ manufactory in the world at the time. The home is so well preserved, and even has a historically appropriate paint scheme!!
Buildings of New England 
Looking through your photos and text on houses in Bristol, RI. Surprised to note an important omission – Blithewold, built in 1908 on Ferry Road. Please check website Blithewold.org
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Hi Margaret! I actually reached out to Blithewold before visiting Bristol and they never got back to me regarding a tour/if the house was open. It was during COVID, so it’s understandable. I’ll have to get back there!
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You will be welcome any time!
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