Samuel B. Wheaton House

The Samuel B. Wheaton House was built as a single-family residence in 1850 at the corner of Brown and Angell Streets, one block away from Brown University’s main green. At the time, the two and one half story brick Italianate structure was built for a wholesale grocer. The first change in use occurred in 1914 when the asymmetrical facade, low hip roof, and prominent bay windows of the Wheaton house became the home of Carr’s Catering, a well-known institution on the East Side. The careful integration of Wheaton House and Brown’s new Department of English building along with its neighboring Creative Writing program was at the heart of this project.
The intent was to maintain the 9,000 square foot Samuel B. Wheaton house as a major element, and not allow the new buildings to overshadow the existing structure. Many of the characteristics of the Samuel B. Wheaton house are evident in today’s building on both the interior and the exterior level. The plan of the house was maintained while its use has changed. The old dining room now serves as the department lounge. Mrs. Scotti’s clothing shop is now a seminar room, and the dance studio is currently used as a lecture hall. The windows and the original entrance of the building were preserved and serve as the foundation for the new structure.