It is a National Historic Landmark, generally acknowledged as one of Richardson's masterpieces and the prototype for what became known as the Shingle Style in American architecture.

It is located at 2 Shepard Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island and is now owned by Salve Regina University.

The original house was 2+1⁄2 stories in height and basically rectangular, about 53 by 81 feet (16 by 25 m) in dimensions, with porte-cochere on the east facade, and two principal entrances on the west.

Circa 1877 unusual stained-glass windows by Daniel Cottier (but often credited to John LaFarge) were added; these have subsequently been sold.

A second addition by Newport architect Dudley Newton (1845–1907), circa 1890, added a ballroom and service wing.