When the British raided the town of Bristol in 1778 one of the many homes to be destroyed by fire was that of Rhode Island's Deputy Governor William Bradford. Later, in 1792, Bradford began work on what was to become known as the Bradford-Dimond-Norris House.
In the 1840's the building was bought by Governor Francis Dimond. When his daughter Isabella decided to settle there with her husband, the sugar refiner Samuel Norris, they employed the services of the famous architect Russell Warren. He built the elegant stairway in the foyer, added the north wing, put in the Ionic column style porch and Chinese Chippendale balustrades. After the Civil War the third floor was added. This gave the house the characteristics which has earned it the charming title, "The Wedding Cake House".
It stands in majestic splendor just set back from Hope Street where the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country can be seen.
The present owners Lloyd and Suzanne Adams, acquired the house in 1994. They spent all the following year restoring the house to it's original beauty. From the four poster beds in the bedrooms to the collection of antiques, paintings and furniture, the house is now a testament to the charm of the colonial era. Walking through it one has the feeling of stepping back in time. An atmosphere much enhanced by the cordial, relaxed greeting you will find as a guest.
Each of the four guest rooms has individually controlled air conditioning and a private modern bathroom. And each can
