A Brief History and Significant Events
Whitehall Farm Condominiums
History
Whitehall Farm derived its name from Whitehall, an historic home that was the residence of the Rev. George Berkeley, Dean of Derry and eventually, Bishop of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland.
Bishop Berkeley (the famed Hanging Rock at nearby Second Beach, known also as The Bishop's Rock or Bishop Berkeley's Rock) came to Newport in 1729 to await funds from the British Parliament for the purpose of establishing a college. The school's purpose would have been to educate students for the ministry of the Church of England, but the British government failed to supply the funds and Bishop Berkeley returned to England in 1731.
The Bishop's home, Whitehall, and his Middletown grounds, were left to Yale University with the intent that the property be used to produce income for student scholarships. A long succession of Berkeley Scholars received their education at Yale, which now has a building on its campus named after the Bishop. Eventually, the Bishop's home came into the hands of the Coreys.
Berkeley Common (the 200's), was named for Bishop Berkeley. Yale Common (the 300's) so named as Bishop Berkeley left many of his possessions, including Whitehall, his Middletown estate, to Yale University. Honyman Common (the 400's) was named for Reverend Honyman, the pastor of Trinity Church while Bishop Berkeley was in Middletown. Trinity Common (the 500's) named for Trinity Church itself, where the visiting Bishop often preached and where he donated a church organ after his return to England. Maidford Common (the 100's) was named for its proximity to the Maidford River, which runs past Whitehall Farm.
Hall of Fame Inducts George Berkeley
Thirteen prominent Rhode Islanders from the 18th century were inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame during a historical convocation in Providence, November 15th 1998. George Berkeley (1685- 1753), philosopher, Anglican bishop, philanthropist and proprietor of Whitehall was added to this list of important people.
Paul Wightman (Wightman)Cemetery
Paul Wightman, born in 1749 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island married Hannah Reynolds in North Kingstown in 1772. In April 1800, Paul Wightman was elected freeman of Middletown, and on May 8, 1801, took a long-term lease of a property in Middletown. The estate was Whitehall and had been the property and residence of Bishop Berkeley. Paul Wightman leased and resided at the mansion house of Whitehall until his tragic death (suicide by hanging) May 19, 1817. The graves of both Paul and Hannah are at Whitehall, but unmarked. They are believed to be on the perimeter of Berkeley Common.
(Historical data taken from "Dwellers in Old Dwellings," by Mark Antony DeWolfe Howe)
Whitehall Farm Timeline
(Above photo: Condominium units under construction in Common One, circa 1986)
2023-
* Completed major road project with new driveways, all new access roads, and a new main road
* Condo fees increased to $680/month
* Association remains self-managed
2022-
* Completed major structural work that replaced all roofs, all siding, all trim, and installed water resistant barriers to all 120 units - on time and under budget
* Began major road project to replace all driveways, all access roads, and main road; to be completed in fall of 2022
* Condo fees increased to $625/month
* Association remains self-managed
2021-
* Began major structural work to replace all roofs, all siding, all trim, and install water resistant barriers to all 120 units; to be completed in 2022
* Condo fees increased to $540/month
* Association remains self-managed
2020-
* Condo fees increased to $425/month
* Association remains self-managed
2019-
* Condo fees increased to $400/month
* Association remains self-managed
2018-
* Condo fees increased to $350/month
* Association remains self-managed
2017-
* Condo fees increased to $320/month
* Association remains self-managed
* Reserve Study & Reserve Fund Analysis was performed as a guide for future planning
2016-
* Condo fees remain at $295/month
* Association remains self-managed
* Modern LED light pillars replace bollards in Commons One, Two, Three and Five
2015-
* Condo fees remain at $295/month
* Association remains self-managed
* Entrance/Exit roads resurfaced
2014-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condo fees remain at $295/month
* Phase Five completing concluding Painting Project.
* Installed 18 modern LED lights on Corey Lane main road (replacing 30 original bollards).
* Developed Long-Range Plan to extend over a five-year period.
2013-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condo fees remain at $295/month
* Phase Four of the Painting Project entails repairing and painting the last of the units.
* Roofing Project concludes with the last of the roofs completed.
* Developed Long-Range Plan to extend over a five-year period.
2012-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condo fees remain at $295/month
* Phase Three of the Painting Project continues with 26 units repaired/painted.
* Roofing Project concludes with the last of the roofs completed.
* Developed Long-Range Plan to extend over a five-year period.
2011-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condo fees increased to $295 in response to the substantial costs incurred to repair structures, whilst maintaining the painting project.
* 28 units repaired and painted with an additional 6 units re-roofed with 6 roofs remaining.
2010-
* Association remains self-managed
* WFCA joined Middletown Pay-As- You-Throw Program
* Fireplace assessment amended to triennial inspections
* Roofing project continues with 3 units completed; 12 remaining roofs to be completed by 2013
* Painting project (2010-2013) begins with 34 units painted
2009-
* Association remains self-managed
* Common One roadway section re-paved
* Roofing project continues with an additional 9 units completed
2008-
* Association remains self-managed
* Roofing project continues with 15 units completed
* Condominium fees increased to $270 in anticipation of initiating painting project while roofing project continues
2007-
* Association remains self-managed
* Roofing project continues with 22 units completed
2006-
* Association remains self-managed
* Establishment of WFCA Website
* Message boards erected at mail boxes
* Roofing project continues with 16 units completed
* Condominium fees increased to $225
2005-
* Association remains self-managed
* Formation of Whitehall Farm 'Hands'
* Roofing project continues with 21 units completed
* WFCA Rules & Regulations revised
* 50/50 split of common maintenance expenses with Corey Lane Properties - Whitehall II
* Amended tenure of Executive Board members from one-to two years
2004-
* Association remains self-managed
* Roofing Project initiated with 22 units completed
* Institution of biennial fireplace inspections
2003-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condominium Fees increased to $200/month in anticipation of start of re-roofing/painting projects
* Agreement with Corey Lane Properties
* Condo fees waived for Executive Board
* Erected stone markers for 'Hidden Units'
2002-
* Developed long-range ten-year plan for alternating periods of re-roofing and painting
2001-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condominium Fees remain at $180/month
* Painting project completed with 24 units painted
2000-
* Year three of painting project, with 31 units painted
1999-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condominium Fees increased to $180/month
* Year two of painting project, with 31 units painted
1998-
* Association remains self-managed
* Condominium Fees remain at $170/month
* Four-year painting project initiated, with 34 units painted
* Year-end Reserves remain robust at a healthy $100,000
1997-
* Association remained self-managed
* Condominium Fees reduced to $170/month when management company was terminated
* Major effort on building repairs, sandblasting & painting
* Year-end Reserves increased to $138,000
1996-
* Association became self-managed
* Condominium Fees remain at $175/month to $112,0 Year-end Reserves increased to $112,000
1995-
* Association managed by management company
* Condominium Fees - $175/month
* Year-end Reserves totaled $20,000
1992-
* Developer turned management control over to the Whitehall Farm Condominium Association- May, 1992.
1986-
* Phase I Construction - Common One- Maidford Common
* The view is from the front of Unit 119 looking toward the entrance to the common.