Cubical three-story brick houses in early 19th century Providence were usually characteristic of large houses for the wealthy. This house’s small scale and siting so close to its next-door neighbors are also unusual for this form but perfectly consonant with this densely built part of Fox Point. Mason, appropriate to his surname, was a bricklayer and built the house himself. Like so many houses built by construction professionals — then as now — this no doubt served to show off the builder’s talents. Mason lived in this house until his death in 1830, when merchant Jeremiah Cole bought the house at auction; he later sold it to his son-in-law the Reverend William Phillips, who lived here with his wife for much of the 19th century .
The house’s interior is typical for the second decade of the 19th century, with a central stair hall that penetrates half the depth of the house and parlors on either side of the stair hall; the southwest parlor has a typical period mantelpiece, with a wide mantel shelf. The large center room at the rear, beyond the hall, was originally the kitchen, with a large cooking fireplace on the west wall.
— 2008 Festival of Historic Houses Guidebook
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