The Kinney Bungalow was built 1899 by Francis S. Kinney, a tobacco and real estate millionaire, in
order to host parties, especially following polo matches.Its design is strongly influenced by East Indian
style, perhaps a taste he acquired from his younger years as a sailor.
He and Abbot Kinney, his younger brother, had founded Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, one
of the leading cigarette manufacturers in the late nineteenth century. Eventually they merged their
company with others into the "tobacco trust" organized by James Buchanan Duke (father of the late
Newport heiress and socialite, Doris Duke). Before it was broken up by government anti-trust laws,
the American Tobacco Company had more than ninety percent of the the U.S. market. Abbot Kinney
had fallen in love with Venice, Italy in his youth, so he went on to found Venice, California as a resort
and amusement center. Francis Kinney invested in real estate and also got involved in polo matches in
Narragansett.
Following Kinney's death, the Kinney Bungalow was purchased by the Chase/Ewing family. It was the
site of numerous dances, parties, and celebrations. Lucia Chase Ewing, co-founder of the American
Ballet Theater, brought the troupe to Narragansett where the Bungalow served as their summer
rehearsal site.
In 1991 the Bungalow, along with historic Sunset Farm, was acquired by the Town of Narragansett.
The property (Kinney Bungalow and Sunset Farm) is managed by the Narragansett Land Conservancy
Trust. Following major restoration work, Kinney Bungalow was opened to the public in 2002.
Once again Kinney Bungalow is a favorite site for weddings, birthday and anniversary parties, lawn
parties, dances, concerts, ice cream socials, ballet classes, public lectures, and happy gatherings for
many occasions. |
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