Cove Fort | Richfield

Information

Landmark: Cove Fort
City: Richfield
Country: USA Utah
Continent: North America

Cove Fort, Richfield, USA Utah, North America

The Babcock-Smith House Museum is a historic house located in Westerly, Rhode Island.

This structure serves as a museum preserving local history and artifacts.

Visual Characteristics

The Babcock-Smith House is a 2.5-story colonial-style structure constructed primarily of wood. Its exterior is painted white with dark green shutters. The roof is a dark gray asphalt shingle. Architectural details include a central pedimented doorway and multi-pane sash windows.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 122 Main Street in Westerly, Rhode Island. It is approximately 0.5km west of the Westerly town center. On-street parking is available on Main Street and adjacent side streets. The nearest public transport stop is the Westerly Transit Hub, located 1km east, served by RIPTA bus routes 14 and 64.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The house was built in 1796 by Captain Joseph Babcock, a prominent local merchant and shipbuilder. It remained in the Babcock family for several generations before being acquired by the Westerly Historical Society in 1959. The original purpose was a private residence.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the preserved rooms, which showcase period furnishings and decorative arts. Exhibits focus on the maritime history of Westerly and the lives of the Babcock and Smith families. The museum offers guided tours on the hour during operating times.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on the first floor. Limited seating is provided in the main exhibition areas. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally good within the building. No food vendors are located on-site; however, several restaurants are within a 0.5km radius in the town center.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for interior photography is between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when natural light is most consistent. The museum is open seasonally from May through October. Weekday mornings generally have lower visitor traffic.

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity is the presence of a hidden compartment discovered during a renovation, which contained letters dating back to the early 19th century. Local lore suggests that Captain Babcock's ghost still oversees the household.