Rhode Island
This historic East Providence house is older than the country – and it needs a new tenant
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley celebrates donation of vacant synagogue
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged community members to support the Center for Southeast Asians’ plans to transform the historic building
EAST PROVIDENCE – History lovers have a rare opportunity to live in one of Rhode Island’s oldest homes.
With an estimated construction date of 1724, the four-bedroom Philip Walker House in East Providence is available to rent for $2,900 a month.
The historic preservation society Preserve Rhode Island has owned the property at 432 Massasoit Ave. since 1984, and over the years it has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into restoration, fortifying the house’s structural integrity and adding modern conveniences.
“It’s a unique opportunity, and it’s in the best condition now,” said Paul Trudeau, the nonprofit’s director of preservation. “It’s a pretty hefty investment to keep this building in its best shape, so we are focusing now on getting it to a state where it’s a nice place to live.”
Preserve Rhode Island plans to use the rental income to help recoup its investment in the property.
For additional preservation opportunities, the Newport Restoration Foundation and the Providence Preservation Society both have programs for community members to help steward historic properties.
What renovations have been done to the house?
The original house was a four-room building with a chimney jutting out of the center – an important feature for cooking and providing heat.
“That original square plan was a pretty straightforward floor plan at the time,” Trudeau said.
For years, under Preserve Rhode Island’s stewardship, the house was essentially a research site, where architectural historians and students studied its structure and materials, often opening up the walls to do so. It was only in 2003 through dendrochronology – a method of assessing age through tree rings – that a research team figured out that Walker House was constructed in the early 18th century, and that their previous estimates had been incorrect.
Although valued for its educational gains, the invasive nature of the research compromised the house’s livability. The preservation group first started renovations in 1990, mostly focusing on the building’s exterior. In 2008, they redid the house’s plumbing and HVAC systems, updating the kitchen and bathroom.
More recently, Preserve Rhode Island partnered with Shantia Anderheggen, who owns the firm Preservation Strategies, on a rehabilitation project that focused on the interior details. The work wrapped up last month and included cleaning, painting, treating floors, carpentry repairs, plaster and drywall repairs and installing a new custom mantle around the central fireplace that had previously been damaged.
What is the history of the Philip Walker House?
The Walker House was originally thought to have been constructed in 1679 on top of the foundation of a house that burned down during King Philip’s War. The property once encompassed 96 acres of farmland, but spans 1½ acres today. Details about its construction are limited, but the house is named after a prominent landowner from that era, Philip Walker.
“He had 10 children. He was a farmer. He worked as a weaver and a sawmill proprietor. He was the deacon of the church here. He had a lot of things going on,” said Trudeau. “By the late 17th century, he had a pretty sizeable estate.”
Walker House is considered a significant architectural heritage site in Rhode Island, as one of the few surviving houses from the period when classical forms of Georgian architecture were first introduced. The house still has many of its early Georgian facets, including the chimney breasts, paneled doors and door frames, mantelpieces and finishing materials, such as plasterwork and flooring.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It was inhabited by descendants of Philip Walker until Faith Shedd Potter deeded the property to Preserve Rhode Island in the 1980s.
Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.
READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations
Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.
It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.
The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season
At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.
The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.
Will Rulla Return for Season 2?
Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?
Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.
READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast
As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.
Bravo via Facebook
When and Where Filming Will Begin
If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.
For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.
So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.
40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale
Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.
Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates
A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home
Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…
Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS
The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale
It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.
Gallery Credit: EeE
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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