Historic Walking Tours of Narragansett Pier
Left: Reprinted with permission from Narragansett By-the-Sea, by Sallie W. Latimer. Available from the publisher on line at
www.arcadiapublishing.com or by calling 888-313-2665. Right: SCM photo-jet 2010
The Reading Room
The Reading Room, aka Sea Lawn, was built about 1875. This 11/2-story structure clad in vertical
board siding, originally clapboarded, has a mansard roof with gabled dormers. On the north side is a
large polygonal bay. There are smaller, two-story bays on the other sides. A veranda along the east
side has been enclosed.
Now a Lila Delman Real Estate office, this building was originally the Reading Room, a men's club
organized in 1910 "for social and literary purposes," and was located on Mathewson Street with the
side containing the tower and large bay facing west. It was moved to its present location in the late
1890s.
The Delman firm recently restored the structure to "its 19th century glory."
Caution
This is private property. Do not enter the real estate office except on business. Also note that
the building contains private apartments.
Parking
Curbside parking is permitted along both sides of Ocean Road but spaces fill up quickly on sunny
summer days.