Located on Red Cross Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, the Samuel Colman House—more famously known as Boxcroft—stands as a prominent example of the Shingle Style, one of the most distinctive artistic and architectural achievements of the Gilded Age. Designed between 1882 and 1883 by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, Boxcroft is part of a remarkable cluster of homes by the firm in the Catherine Kay neighborhood. This group includes five notable residences: Villino (1882), the Tilton House (1880–1882), the Commodore William Edgar House (1884–1886), Oakwood (1902), and Boxcroft itself. Together, they represent one of the greatest concentrations of McKim, Mead & White designs in a single area.
Boxcroft was the bespoke residence and studio of prominent American landscape artist and interior designer Samuel Colman. Colman, a leading figure in the American Watercolor Society and a collaborator with Louis Comfort Tiffany, envisioned Boxcroft not merely as a summer retreat, but as a functional space for his artistic pursuits and a showcase for his extensive collection of Oriental art. McKim, Mead & White—masters of the burgeoning Shingle Style—translated Colman’s vision into a residence that was both aesthetically striking and intimately personal. The house, while not as grand as some of Newport’s famed “cottages,” was praised by critics such as Mariana Van Rensselaer for being “dignified yet rural, simple yet refined, almost picturesque yet quiet.”
Exterior view showcasing key vernacular of the shingle style such as the irregular roof line, stone foundation, and shingles on the facade.
Boxcroft is a quintessential example of the Shingle Style, a term coined by Yale architectural historian Vincent Scully. This style is characterized by a wood-shingled exterior that gracefully wraps around the structure, creating a sense of organic unity. The design also incorporates elements of Colonial Revival architecture, evident in its gambrel roof and overall composition. A key feature was Colman’s spacious, light-filled studio, designed to accommodate his artistic endeavors. The interiors reflected Colman’s unique aesthetic, blending diverse cultural objects—including Japanese armor and porcelains with Persian silks—to create a sophisticated and eclectic ambiance.
Beyond its architectural merit, Boxcroft’s importance lies in its association with Samuel Colman and his artistic circle, representing a haven for creativity amidst Newport’s bustling social scene. The house was strategically sited in an area popular with artists, writers, and intellectuals.
Interior view of the living room.
Over the years, Boxcroft has had several owners, including William Henry Appleton of the publishing family and J. Coleman Drayton, whose high-profile divorce from Charlotte Astor was a notable society scandal. It was later converted into apartments. Most recently, the property was acquired by the Horan Building Company, which specializes in restoring historic structures in Newport. This tour was offered to the Newport Architectural Forum and members of the community to celebrate and showcase the completion of a 12-month restoration project. The building has been updated for modern living with a sleek, elegant design, yet much of the historic interior layout and the majority of the exterior have been carefully preserved.
On May 18, 2022, the house was presented at a special opening or the members of the Newport architectural forum as well as other invitees. The tour, led by Mark Horan, owner of the Horan Building Company, also featured a curated display of work by the artist Sitka, represented by Gallery Sitka in Boston. This artistic element was a fitting tribute to the home’s original owner, Samuel Colman, who was himself both a painter and interior designer. Guests were invited to explore the beautifully restored home, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, and admire this masterfully revived monument to the genius of the McKim, Mead & White partnership.
Mark Horan leading the tour group through the kitchen and living areas of the house.
If you have a historic home in need of restoration—or would like to be part of creating a new architectural treasure in the New England region—please reach out to A4 Architecture. We look forward to hearing your vision and helping you bring it to life.
Ross Sinclair Cann, AIA, LEED AP, is a historian, educator, author, and founder of A4 Architecture in Newport. He holds architecture and architectural history degrees from Yale, Cambridge, and Columbia Universities and teaches Architectural History in the Circle of Scholars program at Salve Regina University. He is also the Founding Chairman of the Newport Architectural Forum.