From grand Gilded Age estates to weathered seaside retreats, the summer cottages of coastal Rhode Island tell the story of generations of families. In Summer by the Sea: Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton, architect Thomas A. Kligerman explores the history, architecture, and enduring appeal of these remarkable homes through richly detailed essays and evocative photography. As you turn the pages, the dreamy sights and sounds of a New England summer by the sea make it almost inevitable that you’ll find yourself browsing Zillow for an escape of your own—or, at the very least, Airbnb.
Among the book’s most unforgettable homes is Clingstone, the legendary “House on the Rocks” perched atop a tiny granite island in Narragansett Bay. Built in 1904, the shingle-style cottage has survived hurricanes, abandonment, and an extraordinary decades-long restoration to become one of New England’s most iconic summer homes.
In this exclusive excerpt, here’s a glimpse inside Clingstone, beautifully captured by photographer Read McKendree.
Tour Clingstone, Rhode Island’s Legendary “House on the Rocks”
Is Clingstone your dream summer cottage?…