William Rotch (pronounced Roach) Jr, grandson of Joseph Rotch (who brought the whaling trade to New Bedford) built his mansion on County St in 1834. He chose Richard Upjohn as his architect. Upjohn was an unknown at the time who would go on to design the Connecticut State Capitol Building, Trinity Church on Wall St and Kingscote in Newport. What is truely unique about this property is that the gardens and grounds have remained intact for over 160 years. The style he chose was Greek Revival and its simplicity was very compatible with his strong Quaker ethics.
William and his second wife lived in the house until his death in 1850. His daughter then sold the house to Edward Coffin Jones another whaling merchant. His daughter Amelia was 2 years old when she moved into the house and she lived there for the next 85 years.
At her death Mark Duff bought the house. His money had its origins in the whale oil business. In 1981 the house was purchases by the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) and it was transformed into a museum.
Your visit begins in the gift shop. We had to ring the doorbell to gain entrance. After paying the entrance fee $4 ($3 with AAA) we were given a tape recorder to take around with us. It has a 30 minute, very interesting tour. It gives lots of details about the house itself and the 3 families who lived here. It's okay if you're the only one visiting but soon we could hear the people behind us , great I guess if you happened to miss anything on the first time through the tape.
The tour begins in the double parlors. They have the doors that melt into the walls to allow the 2 parlors to become one large room. Amelia Jones piano and her picture are in the back parlor or music room.
Upstairs you get a real feeling for the improvements made by the Duff family. The bathrooms are art deco with modern European shower heads. All the rooms look like the owners have just stepped out. There are clothes laid across the beds and the closets are full. You even get to see what the well dressed maid would have worn in the maids closet.
You see elements of each of the three occupants on the tour. It isn't like visiting the mansions in Newport, you actually feel like you could live in this house. Look for the special luxury touches though, check out the Pierpoint, Mount Washington and Waterford chandeliers and the ivory spot on the newell post.
It was rainy and cold so we didn't visit the gardens but they looked attractive even in February. And finish up your visit with a stop at the small gift shop.