Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island

The Castle Hill Inn is one of Newport’s most iconic coastal landmarks — a 19th‑century estate shaped by salt air, storms, and generations of craftsmanship. Built in 1875 for oceanographer Alexander Agassiz, the property has served as a private residence, a U.S. Navy outpost, and, since the 1950s, one of Rhode Island’s most celebrated inns.

Slate & Copper Services has been entrusted with the stewardship of this historic structure twice. Our first full cedar roof restoration in 2003 preserved the inn’s architectural character using premium taper‑sawn cedar, hand‑formed copper flashing, and traditional New England roofing methods.

In 2026, after a devastating fire damaged portions of the mansion, we returned to lead the roof restoration — removing compromised sections, installing new cedar shingles, and fabricating custom copper details that match the original profiles. Every step honored the building’s history and the demands of its coastal environment.

Today, the Castle Hill Inn stands renewed, its historic cedar roof restored and its legacy protected for the next generation. Slate & Copper Services remains proud to serve as a trusted steward of Rhode Island’s architectural heritage.

Builder: Kirby Perkins