Guide to The Isaac Bell House Collection, circa 1879-1980
The Preservation Society of Newport County
424 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: 401-847-1000
museumaffairs@newportmansions.org
Published in 2018
Collection Overview
| Title: | The Isaac Bell House Collection |
| Date range: | circa 1879-1980 |
| Creator: | The Bell Family |
| Extent: | 1 hollinger box |
| Abstract: | The Isaac Bell House Collection is comprised of materials relating to the home’s various occupants, spanning the period from 1879 until 1980. The collection includes images of the interior and exterior of the home from various points in its existence, as well as images from the families who lived there. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | The Preservation Society of Newport County |
| Collection number: | PSNCA.H.007 |
Scope & content
The Isaac Bell House Collection is comprised of two folders of photographs and a separate photo album. The objects date from circa 1879-1980, and formats include albumen prints, Kodak bullet photographs and gelatin prints. The photographs depict the exterior and the interior of the house under various periods of ownership. The album holds bullet photographs of the Barger family during their social forays around Newport, Rhode Island.This collection has been fully digitized and is available for viewing online at newportalri.org
Access Points
Subject Names Document Types Subject TopicsArrangement
This collection is arranged by type of materials and subject matter in one document box. The collection has been divided into two series.
- Series 1: Architectural Photographs
- Series 2: Family Photographs
Biographical note
The Bell Family:Isaac Bell, Jr. was born in New York City the son of a steamboat owner. He attended Harvard University in 1866 and 1867, but did not graduate. He became a successful cotton broker and one of the primary investors in the Commercial Cable Company which broke the transatlantic cable monopoly. He was a member of an established New York family, and retired at the age of 31 in 1877 with the fortune he had accumulated. The following year, he married Jeanette Bennett at the Newport, RI estate of her brother, James Gordon Bennett, owner of the New York Herald. The Bells had three children: Valentine Mott Bell, Olivia Bell, and Isaac Bell III. Isaac Bell Jr. was active in Rhode Island Democratic party. President Grover Cleveland appointed him the U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, which he served from 1885-88. Bell died in January of 1889, from typhoid fever. His funeral was held at Trinity Church, and he was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
The Barger Family:
Beginning when Isaac Bell, Jr. was serving as Minister Resident to the Court of the Netherlands, the house was rented to New York lawyer and capitalist, Samuel F. Barger and his family. After Bell's death, in 1891, Samuel Barger purchased the home from Mrs. Bell. Mr. Barger named the house “Edna Villa," after his wife, Edna Jeanie LaFavor, whom he married in 1869. There is an inscription of this name, still visibly carved into the stone gatepost at the entrance to the property. Samuel Barger was born in 1832 in New York City. He became a lawyer in 1854 and remained in practice until 1867, when he became one of the directors of the New York Central Railroad. In this position, Barger was responsible for overseeing the merger of the Hudson River Railroad with the New York Central. He further served on the executive and finance committees for various other railroad companies throughout the country. The Bargers had three children: Milton, Edna, and Maude. Samuel F. Barger died in New York City in 1914.
The DeSantis Family:
The house remained in the Barger family until 1952, when it was purchased by Leonard J. DeSantis. The DeSantis ownership was brief, but documentary evidence remains from the period. Leonard DeSantis and his wife, Ruth had four children: Janet, Elizabeth, Michael, and Leonard.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | The collection is open to the public, and there are no restrictions on access. However, the collection can only be seen by scheduled appointment. |
| Use of the materials: | All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the PSNC Archives and Special Collections are requested to contact the archivist, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although the Preservation Society has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim copyright ownership. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the copyright and to obtain any necessary permission from them. |
| Preferred citation: | "Courtesy of the Preservation Society of Newport County" |
| Contact information: | The Preservation Society of Newport County 424 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Tel: 401-847-1000 museumaffairs@newportmansions.org |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | Architectural photographs taken for the PSNC by Robert Meservey, 1947 and John T. Hopf, 1980; Family photographs and album gifted to PSNC by Mrs. Ruth DeSantis, 1998 |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Kate McNally, Digitization Archivist, 2018 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS). |
Additional Information
Inventory
Series 1. Architectural Photographs, 1947-1980
Box 1, Folder 1
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Photograph of the Isaac Bell House Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.1 |
circa 1947 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Photograph of the Isaac Bell House Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.2 |
circa 1980 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Photograph of the Living Hall at the Isaac Bell House Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.3 |
circa 1947 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Photograph of the Living Hall at the Isaac Bell House Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.4 |
circa 1947 |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | Photograph of the Living Hall at the Isaac Bell House Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.5 |
circa 1947 |
Series 2. Family Photographs, 1879-1956
Box 1, Folder 2, Album
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Photograph of a Woman Holding an Infant Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.6 |
circa 1879 - 1885 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Photograph of Two Children Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.7 |
circa 1879 - 1885 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.8 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bridal Party Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.9 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.10 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.11 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride and her Family Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.12 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride and her Groom Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.13 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride and her Father Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.14 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Wedding Party Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.15 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride and her Parents Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.16 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Copy of a Photograph of a Bride and her Sister Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.17 |
circa 1952 - 1956 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph Album Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.1 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph Album Title Page Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.2 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Barger Family Shooting in the Catskills Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.3 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Barger Family Shooting in the Catskills Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.4 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Couple Standing Outdoors Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.5 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Foxhall Keene Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.6 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Woman Playing Golf Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.7 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Samuel Barger and Foxhall Keene Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.8 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Samuel Barger Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.9 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Man with a Bicycle Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.10 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Barger Family Shooting in the Catskills Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.11 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Barger Family Shooting in the Catskills Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.12 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Newport Country Club Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.13 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Newport Polo Grounds Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.14 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Newport Polo Grounds Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.15 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Woman and Child Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.16 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Family Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.17 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Group Standing with a Carriage Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.18 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Milton Barger Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.19 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Woman with a Dog Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.20 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Milton Barger with a Young Girl Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.21 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Two Young Children in Touro Park Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.22 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Two Men Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.23 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Man with a Dog Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.24 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Man Holding a Small Child Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.25 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Two Women in a Carriage Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.26 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Two Women in a Carriage Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.27 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Couple in a Carriage Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.28 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Two Women in a Sailboat Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.29 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Woman and Child Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.30 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Woman and Child Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.31 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Two Children in Touro Park Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.32 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.33 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.34 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.35 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.36 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.37 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.38 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.39 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.40 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Casino Horse Show Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.41 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Witnesses at the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.42 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.43 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Witnesses at the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.44 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of Witnesses at the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.45 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.46 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of People Watching the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.47 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of People Watching the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.48 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of People Watching the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.49 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of People Watching the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.50 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Young Girl Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.51 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Man and a Little Girl Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.52 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of the Ocean House Hotel Fire Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.53 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |
| Box 1, Album 1 | Photograph of a Horse-Drawn Carriage Accession Number: PSNCA.H.007.18.54 |
circa 1896 - 1898 |