John Langley House   -   circa 1807 

     The John Langley House is a two story house with a gable roof and interior central chimney.  It is typical of many Newport houses built between 1730-40 and 1815.

     The original fan light doorway is the key to the construction date of the Langley House, as are the cornice and window treatments, all of which reflect the refined style of the Federal period.  Applying later “modern” details to an earlier building, perhaps 75 or 100 years older and of a different style, was not uncommon in Newport and the Langley House offers a fine example of this practice.

     Originally situated on Fair Street, and scheduled to be torn down to make way for Memorial Boulevard West, the Langley House was purchased by NRF in 1969.  In 1970, the building was moved – complete with its chimney pile in place – to a lot on the south side of Church Street.  The house was restored while it stood at this location.  In 1977, when the development of Queen Ann Square was in progress, the house was moved again, this time to the north side of Church Street, facing the newly created square.  Some changes were made and additional work done to the house after this second move.

     The John Langley House is the only house that the NRF ever moved twice, and each time it was moved with its original chimney pile in place.