Kingscote, built in 1839, is one of the first summer mansions that were constructed in Newport, Rhode Island. It is said that this Gothic Revival structure ushered in the building of the many lavish ?cottages? for the rich in the area.

Kingscote was built for George Noble Jones, owner of the El Destino Plantation and Chemonie Plantation, and his family. However, when the American Civil War broke out, they sold the house to William Henry King. It was then passed to his nephew who hired the McKim, Mead, and White firm to renovate the aging building.

The Kings owned the Kingscote until 1972, and the property was donated by the family to the Preservation Society of Newport County, who operated the house as a historical house museum today.