A 105-year old mansion is nestled on a rocky island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and it very well illustrates the blending of green technology and a scenic location. The 10,000-square-foot property is unique, not only in its size and location, but also because of its promotion of ecological ways.
It has a 300-gallon rain cistern, the collection of which is filtered, treated and pumped through the house for cleaning purposes. Moreover, it has its sea water filtration system, which after years of being used has enabled Clingstone to now have the latest generation of composting toilets. Solar panels are also responsible for heating the water supply, and power is generated by a wind turbine.
Also known as the "House on the Rocks," the mansion was designed by an artist named William Trost Richards in the early part of the 20th century. The American manufacturer and financier J.S. Wharton also designed the house alongside Richards. It was built to withstand winds that are of hurricane strength, while still having a wooden-cottage appearance. It was built like a mill - with wide planking, diagonal sheathing and strong oak beams. It also has cladding of shingles for its interior.
The 23-bedroom summerhouse and island resort was a vacation spot for the Wharton family until 1961, when it was sold to Boston architect Henry Wood for a price below $4,000. This was after Mr. Wharton's wife died and the mansion sat vacant for twenty years.
Since then, Clingstone has undergone major changes through its renovations that matched 21st century technology, though it still maintained a great portion of its old elegance. Mr. Wood was mainly responsible for the transformation of the mansion and for the incorporation of its environmental footprint. He now takes pride in the very impressive image that Clingstone has made, and even keeps a collection of newspaper clippings and photos that give proof of the property's best moments.
