After the death of their mother, Anna Power, in 1858, Sarah Helen Whitman had the sole responsibility of looking after her mentally ill younger sister, Susan Power. In 1864, Whitman and her sister moved from their long-lived home on Benefit Street to a house that was located on Wheaton Street. That house (along with many others) was demolished to create the park below the statue of Roger Williams at Prospect Terrace.

Their time at that Wheaton Street house was brief. After two years, they moved into this house, located at 39 Benevolent Street, in 1866. This structure was fortunately saved from demolition in 1950 during the construction of the Wriston Quadrangle. Brown University was responsible for saving the house, having it physically moved to its current location at 140 Power Street. 

Whitman’s devotion to her sister proved to be quite a weight on her shoulders. Visitors to this house were often turned away due to Susan’s sometimes violent behaviors. Few visitors were able to make it inside the home when Susan was either having a good day, or, when she decided to hide in a closet. Those guests were often in awe by Whitman’s style of decorating. She smothered the walls with mirrors and art, often throwing drapery over lamps in the house to direct the light at her favorite pieces.

They never kept much food in the house, but it was said that they would eat like royalty when they decided to splurge. It was in this house that Whitman hosted literary salons that were attended by some of Providence’s most notable folks, including John Hay. The house also served as a séance parlor where Whitman led many conversations with the dead.  

On December 8, 1877, Susan passed away in her sister’s arms. Whitman memorialized her in the last poem that she would ever write, titled, “In Memoriam.”

The following month, Whitman auctioned off most of her possessions and moved into the home of her friend, Charlotte Dailey. Five months after that, Whitman passed away on June 27, 1878.

Located near the front door was a plaque with the peeling letters barely making out the words, “Home of Sarah Helen Whitman.”