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This document serves as a National Register Nomination for the French House located at 1287 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island. The French House is nominated under Criterion B for its association with Col. George T. French Esq., and Criterion C for its contribution to the Stick style of architecture in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Built in 1881, the French House is a Vernacular Stick style cottage and gains its local significance under Criterion B for its relationship and association with Col. George T. French Esq., French was a lawyer, politician, patriot, and former Brown University student who dedicated his life to being a local influence on the Town of Bristol and the State of Rhode Island.

French contributed to the development of the State of Rhode Island through his professional career of being a member on the Rhode Island Bar (1875-1885), a member of the House of Representatives, and a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly (1883-1885). French’s life was dedicated to the people of Bristol and the State of Rhode Island while serving on the General Assembly under Governor Augustus O. Bourne (1883-1885). French’s involvement in the policymaking and planning of the Bourne Amendment, which was added to Rhode Island’s Constitution, declared the removal of the real estate requirement for voting in state elections imposed in 1843 against naturalized citizens. This allowed citizens that did not own property to have the right to vote. This significant amendment highlighted French’s professional career as a politician because it altered the lives of countless naturalized citizens who previously were not entitled the right to vote in any state elections. This set the precedent for the future of democracy in the United States of America.

In addition to being a politician and lawyer, French was a respected representative of the community. Bristol, Rhode Island is famed for having the oldest 4th of July Celebration in the United States of America. Since 1776, Bristol has been celebrating the Declaration of Independence, and for the 200th Bristol 4th of July Celebration in 1880 Samuel P. Colt acted as the chair of the planning committee. Since 1785, Patriot Speakers or the Speaker of the Day is chosen to speak to the entire community to launch the community celebration of the 4th of July. This position is reserved for respected and influential figures in the community. In 1882, the chosen 97th Patriotic Speaker was none other than Col. George T. French. This honor was indicative of French’s popularity and familiarity in the Bristol community. More recent Patriotic Speakers include nationally recognizable political figures such as Claiborne Pell, the namesake for the Claiborne Pell Bridge (Newport Bridge), and Ira C. Magazine, President William Clinton’s Senior Advisor Policymaker.

The French House is nominated under Criterion C for its significance as a representation of Late Victorian Architecture in Bristol. Built in 1881, by local builder William Hall of Warren, Rhode Island, the French House is a Victorian cottage built in the Stick style as illustrated by its asymmetrical form, multiple paned window sash, spacious verandah decorated with simple diagonal brackets, steeply pitched gable roofs with intersecting cross gables, king posts and struts, and corbeled chimneys. The French House although does not have any applied high-style stick-work, yet characterizes an interpretation of ornamentation through its overall architectural elements, and massing. The Stick style, even at a vernacular level, is not prevalent in Bristol, making the French House one of the few, if not the only Stick style residential architecture in the town. The French House has retained most of its historic integrity and despite its neglected state, the house represents a style of architecture that scarcity deems it worthy of recognition and preservation.

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