Rhode Island

Peek Inside Clingstone, Rhode Island’s Legendary “House on the Rocks”

A love letter to Rhode Island’s coastal cottages, Summer by the Sea: Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton celebrates the homes that define the Ocean State—including Clingstone, a shingle-style cottage perched on its own rocky island in Narragansett Bay.

By Aimee Tucker|Aug 12 2026| Print icon

Clingstone. A large house sits on a rocky island with a sailboat passing nearby under a blue sky with clouds.

Clingstone appears to hover above Narragansett Bay, set atop one of the granite islets known as The Dumplings.

Credit: Read McKendree

From grand Gilded Age estates to weathered seaside retreats, the summer cottages of coastal Rhode Island tell the story of generations of families. In Summer by the Sea: Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton, architect Thomas A. Kligerman explores the history, architecture, and enduring appeal of these remarkable homes through richly detailed essays and evocative photography. As you turn the pages, the dreamy sights and sounds of a New England summer by the sea make it almost inevitable that you’ll find yourself browsing Zillow for an escape of your own—or, at the very least, Airbnb.

Among the book’s most unforgettable homes is Clingstone, the legendary “House on the Rocks” perched atop a tiny granite island in Narragansett Bay. Built in 1904, the shingle-style cottage has survived hurricanes, abandonment, and an extraordinary decades-long restoration to become one of New England’s most iconic summer homes.

In this exclusive excerpt, here’s a glimpse inside Clingstone, beautifully captured by photographer Read McKendree.

Tour Clingstone, Rhode Island’s Legendary “House on the Rocks”

House on a small rocky island, surrounded by water, with a bridge and sailboats in the background.
Built in 1904, the shingle-style cottage has become one of Rhode Island’s most iconic summer homes. A windmill provides backup power to recently installed solar panels.
Credit: Read McKendree
Shingle-sided house with a wooden deck overlooks calm water and a tree-covered island under a partly cloudy sky.
Visitors reach Clingstone by boat, a short ride from Jamestown, Rhode Island, before climbing a rugged stone path to the front door.
Credit: Read McKendree
A weathered wooden house by a calm lake, with trees and a sailboat in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
In the 1950s, the unoccupied house fell victim to thieves, vandals, and campers.
Credit: Read McKendree
Rustic room with stone fireplace, nautical decor, wooden ceiling, wicker furniture, and framed wall art.
After years of abandonment and vandalism, Clingstone was purchased in 1961 by the current owner’s father for just $3,600 in back taxes.
Credit: Read McKendree
A rustic dining room with a long wooden table, chairs, large windows, and framed art on shingled walls.
Restoring Clingstone became a community effort, with friends and family spending weekends repairing the historic house.
Credit: Read McKendree
A rustic wooden hutch with glass cabinets holding dishes, glasses, bowls, pitchers, and cups.
Despite enduring multiple hurricanes, Clingstone’s wood interior helped the house flex with powerful storms rather than fail.
Credit: Read McKendree
Cozy living room with wicker furniture, blue cushions, paper lanterns, and large windows with garden views.
Collected over decades from estate sales and salvaged from the house itself, Clingstone’s furnishings tell the story of a century of coastal life.
Credit: Read McKendree
Rustic wooden kitchen with hanging pots, glass cabinets, and sunlight streaming through a door to the outside.
Antique charm meets modern functionality (and a whole lot of wood) in the home’s unique kitchen.
Credit: Read McKendree
Rustic bedroom with wooden ceiling, large window with a water view, bed, rocking chair, and flowers.
The home’s 11 bedrooms frame sweeping views of Newport, Jamestown, bridges, sailboats, and the ever-changing waters of Narragansett Bay.
Credit: Read McKendree
Stone fireplace with a black bat decor, wicker chair, and paper lantern in a cozy rustic room.
Weathered shingles, exposed wood, and Arts and Crafts details give the interior the feeling of stepping back in time.
Credit: Read McKendree
A wicker chair sits beside overflowing, disorganized bookshelves filled with assorted books and magazines.
The perfect place to unplug.
Credit: Read McKendree

Is Clingstone your dream summer cottage?

Pick up Summer by the Sea: Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton to learn more about its history—and find even more coastal Rhode Island inspiration!

Book cover: seaside cottages, rocky shore, grass, and pastel sky at sunset, text “Summer by the Sea.”.
Summer by the Sea: Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton (Phaidon, 2025)

You may also like…
· Inside New England’s Dream Summer Homes
· Coastal Charm Behind the Hedge: A Featured Cottage from Nantucket Looms: A Legacy of Style

Aimee Tucker

Aimee Tucker is Yankee’s senior digital editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.

More by Aimee Tucker

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  1. I must commend your restraint in not calling Clingstone a “peach of a house.”

    That would just be wrong.

    Reply

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