Thursday, September 17, 2026
The house we're staying in Provincetown was built in 1840 and is 186 years old.
The house has been divided into 3 units - one per floor.
The house has a deep connection to Provincetown's maritime and hospitality roots, operating for decades as a tucked-away sanctuary in the heart of town.
Constructed around 1840, the property consists of a main residential building, a free-standing cottage, a large historic barn, and an expansive vegetable garden.
For over 30 years, it was famously known and licensed as Rose Acre, a beloved women-only guest house and artist refuge. It was highly regarded by visitors for its quiet, garden-oasis atmosphere despite being located just steps from the bustling Commercial Street.
While records from the 19th century are held in deep historical archives, the property's mid-to-late 20th-century ownership is well-documented:
Capt. Loring A. Russell Sr. & Etta Robar Russell (1952–1989): Captain Russell, a prominent local figure who owned the Provincetown Ice Company and captained the fishing vessel Loretta R., purchased the home in 1952. He and his wife lived there for nearly four decades.
Rosemarie A. Basile & Carol J. Noyes (1989–2022): They acquired the property from the Russell estate in 1989, established the Rose Acre guest house, and operated the Rose Basile art studio on-site. They lovingly maintained the 5-family compound for 33 years before placing it on the market.
