LITTLE COMPTON — Nine of Little Compton's most noteworthy homes will open their doors this Sunday, Sept. 12, when the Little Compton Historical Society holds a historical house tour.

The last similar tour was held five years ago, said society volunteer Fred Bridge, and this year's should prove even better.

"There are some very interesting houses," he said. "Some beautiful old buildings decorated with antiques, to summer houses built when the summer colonies started coming in."

Two of the homes, in fact, played roles in the establishment of the Rhode Island Red Rooster as the Ocean State's official bird. One, the "Rhode Island Red Farm," was owned by William Tripp, who in the mid-19th century developed the breed. The other, the Peabody-Wilbour Farm, served as a poultry farm in the 1800s.

Malabar" — Built by a St. Paul, Minn. couple, this home is prominently sited on a rise above Warren's Point Beach and has a sweeping view of the Atlantic.

Seeing as how Rhode Island Reds have become world famous — he's heard of them in Costa Rica and Ireland, for example — they're good stops to put on the tour.

"It really was a big place for the poultry industry," he said.

Other homes include summer cottages with sweeping views to homes that played roles in the American Revolution and colonial-era life.

The tour will benefit the historical soceity in its efforts to install a new roof and clapboards to several outbuildings at the Wilbor House, the society's headquarters on West Main Road. The society recently received a $20,000 state preservation grant for the work, but needs to come up with a $10,000 match to be able to use it.

If this year's tour is anything like the last one held five years ago, the match shouldn't be too hard to raise, he said.

Five years ago, "we had a lot of people; it was a huge success."

"It all depends on the rain. If we have good weather, hopefully a lot of people will take the tour."

The tour

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. To buy them in advance by mail, send a check to the Little Compton Historical Society, P.O. Box 577, Little Compton, R.I. 02837; tickets ordered by mail will be held for pickup on the day of the tour at the Little Compton Community Center on the Commons. They can also be purchased in advance at Peter's Attic, the community center, and at the society, 548 West Main Road. Tickets will also be available starting at the community center at 11 a.m. on the day of the tour. The tour will be held rain or shine; in case of rain, and homeowners may ask visitors to remove their shoes inside.

High heels, pets, cameras and children under 12 are prohibited, and tourers must provide their own transportation from house to house.

The nine homes included in Little Compton's historical house tour range from 17th century farms to summer cottages built a century ago. Following are brief synopses of eight; the ninth, an unusual 19th century home built around an octagonal windmill, is being withheld by the historical society. It's identity will be revealed to those on the tour:

Isaac Bailey Richmond Farm

This 1830 clapboard house consists of 2 1/2 stories facing south across rolling open fields. There is extensive landscaping, gardens, shade trees and outbuildings.

"Gatherem"

This 1905 home was originally built by a St. Paul, Minn. couple and was fully restored last year. Historical society members call it one of the finest turn-of-the-century summer houses in Little Compton.

"Malabar"

Built by another St. Paul, Minn. couple, this home is prominently sited on a rise above Warren's Point Beach and has a sweeping view of the Atlantic.

Rhode Island Red Farm

This 1820 home is a center-chimney cottage with a five-bay facade. Here in the mid-19th century, William Tripp developed the Tripp breed of chicken later known as the Rhode Island Red. The breed was a cross of a chicken imported from southeast Asia and local fowl.

Peabody-Wilbour House

This impressive, late 17th or early 18th century farmstead was built by William and Elizabeth Peabody. It later belonged to Rhode Island Governor Isaac Wilbour. In the 1880s, a descendent of Mr. Wilbour's developed a large poultry business on the farm. His work, and others', contributed to Little Compton's prominence at the time as the biggest poultry town in the United States.

Sylvester Brownell Farm

This 1804 Federal-style home includes a barn, carriage house, and dry-laid stone walls along the property. The home was built by Sylvester Brownell, who on June 17, 1775 fought with the rebels in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Three years later, he married Mercy Church, the great-granddaughter of Little Compton's first settler, Benjamin Church. The home remains in the family of Mr. Brownell's descendants.

Wilbor House

The headquarters of the Little Compton Historical Society, this 1690 home contains period rooms; outbuildings include a barn, carriage house and one-room schoolhouse. A special exhibit, "The Farms Beneath Our Feet," is currently on display in the barn.

Friends Meeting House

A plain, shingled building, two stories high with paired interior end chimneys, the meeting house was built in 1700, rebuilt in 1815, modernized in 1870 and restored to its 1815 appearance in the 1960s by The Little Compton Historical Society.

By TED hayes

thayes@eastbaynewspapers.com