During the American Revolution the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations confiscated Mount Hope Farm from Isaac Royall a loyalist to the crown. The farm was later sold to Nathan Miller of Warren. The primary purpose in selling property was to gain need cash reserves to help defray the costs of war. Munitions, uniforms, medical supplies and food were needed for the brave militia that took on the Red Coats and pensions for the military.

Rhode Island's tradition of independence and dissent gave it a prominent role in the American Revolution. In 1772, the first bloodshed of the American Revolution took place in Rhode Island when a band of Providence residents attacked a grounded British ship for enforcing unpopular British trade regulations in the incident which would be come to known as the Gaspee Affair. Keeping with its culture of defiance, Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen colonies to declare its independence from England May 4, 1776 and the last to ratify the Constitution (which replaced the Articles of Confederation) May 29, 1790—doing the latter only after being threatened with having its exports taxed as a foreign nation.

The Dining Room is used for private dinners and other functions. The colors Blue, White, Yellow or Gold are symbolic of the "official" colors of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations state flag.