Nathaniel Byfield (1653-1733), a member of the Massachusetts General Court and first judge of the vice-admiralty court, was the first owner of Mount Hope and adjoining lands. Charles II of England granted permission for the purchase of the Mount Hope Lands in a document signed at Windsor Castle on July 12, 1677.

In 1680, after the defeat of the Wampanoag Indians, Poppasquash Neck and Mount Hope Neck were purchased from the Plymouth Colony. Byfield and three other wealthy merchants, John Walley, Stephen Burton, and Nathaniel Oliver purchased it at cost of 1100 pounds.

In 1745, Isaac Royall (1720-1781) of Medford, Massachusetts, one of the wealthiest men in New England and perhaps in the country, built a two and one half story gambrel roof colonial, considered a mansion in that period. He and his wife Elizabeth acquired the farm from her father Henry Mackintosh who had bought Mount Hope from Nathaniel Byfield. Later additions occurred to the house in the 1840’s, 1890’s and 1950’s.                                Nathaniel Byfield

Walking Mount Hope is like taking a historical journey. Not far off the beaten path is the site of King Philip’s headquarters for the Wampanoags. It is also the site where he was betrayed and killed by a Native American, Alderman. Philip was beheaded by Captain Benjamin Church who then took Philip’s head to Plymouth where it was exhibited for 25 years.

On one of the many paths of the farm, there is a monument dedicated in 1877 to commemorate the King Philip War and the site where it is believed he lost his life. The monument was dedicated by the Rhode Island Historical Society.

On July 4, 1976, Mount Hope Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historic and architectural significance.

A 1913 headline in the Evening Bulletin asked, “What’s going to happen to Mount Hope?” In 1916 R.F. Haffenreffer II bought the land alongside the Bay that included the “throne of King Philip”, the son of the famous Massasoit of Plymouth Colony fame. In 1898, the land had been turned into an amusement park named for the chief.

Mr. Haffenreffer II, a collector of “Cigar Store Indians,” carousel figures and mastheads had a true passion for the Native Americans. As a result, he amassed one of the largest collections of Indian artifacts which were housed in the King Philip Museum. The museum later became the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology on property donated to Brown University.

Haffenreffer converted Mount Hope into a fine dairy farm with choice Guernsey cattle. “The Haffenreffer summer home was a converted 18th century inn” on over 550 pristine acres. This is the same family who was invited to manage the Narragansett Brewery in 1932. That very familiar slogan, “Hi Neighbor, have a Gansett” is still remembered by many Rhode Islanders.

Upon the death of Rudolf III and later his wife Virginia, the property was listed with Christie’s Great Estates and acquired by The Mount Hope Trust in Bristol.

In its 325 plus years of history, there have been only a dozen owners, some descendents of previous owners. They include: Nathaniel Byfield, Henry Mackintosh, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Royall, the State of Rhode Island, Nathan Miller (1743-1790), William Bradford (1729-1837), John Bradford (son of William), Samuel F. Church, R.F. Haffenreffer II (1874-1954) and III and family and The Mount Hope Trust in Bristol.

In 1999, The Mount Hope Trust in Bristol acquired Mount Hope Farm from the Haffenreffer Family. The Trust purchased the property for $3.3 million with the support of a $1.5 million Bond issue approved by the citizens of Bristol with an 83% margin, a State open space grant of $400,000, a generous loan of $500,000 from Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church (1718), and an anonymous donor who gave $1 million dollars.

In 2001, with the help of an “angel,” the Trust was able to repay the loan of $500,000 to St. Michael’s Church.

The Trust is a 501© 3 non-profit corporation.

The “Mission” of the Trust is to preserve and protect the integrity of its natural assets and its historical structures. Mount Hope Farm is a special place to be enjoyed by all who pass through its gates. It is meant to provide visitors and guests with an extraordinary opportunity to learn, to understand, to explore, and to respect this land that represents our forefathers, the peacefulness and serenity of open space. It is an historical tutorial of our town, state, and national heritage.

The Governor Bradford House Country Inn offers guests an opportunity to share in the unique experience of living a part of our heritage.

We wish you an enjoyable and exciting adventure as you traverse this magnificent and stately piece of American history.

In the interest of preserving the peacefulness, serenity and cleanliness of this natural setting, we ask that you observe the following regulations:

• Due to safety and health reasons, pets MUST BE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES, per Town Ordinance and Farm Policy.
• Bicycles and pedestrians are to use roadways only; skateboards, motorized bikes, and snowmobiles are strictly prohibited. Small family picnics are welcome. Group picnics or outings must be scheduled with Mt. Hope Farm management. Please remove trash.
• Camping, grilling, fishing, shell-fishing, hunting, swimming, and use of docks are prohibited.

Due to safety and liability issues, the following areas are restricted to visitors and guests of the farm.

• The pool, the dock at Cove Cabin and all private property belonging to our neighbors north and south of the farm.
• Please do not disturb conservation areas.
• Please keep off stone walls, ponds, waterways, and other protected areas.

We would appreciate your help in keeping Mount Hope Farm a safe and “smoke free” environment.