Interview with Cheryl Hackett

Cheryl Hackett is the author of Newport Shingle Style, which explores the history, influences and evolution of the Shingle Style through 15 homes. She writes about architecture, preservation and interior design for several national magazines including Old House Journal, Victorian Homes, Coastal Living, Classic Homes, Cottage Style and Farmhouse Style. Since 1989, her articles have appeared in over 500 publications.

Cheryl also teaches writing classes at the Harrington School of Communications at the University of Rhode Island. She earned both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University, where she studied English, Journalism and Architectural History.

1. How did you become interested in historic preservation?

My interest in preservation began as a child. I grew up in Lynnfied Center, Massachusetts. The historic village boasts wonderfully preserved pre-Revolutionary War farmhouses and one of the oldest Puritan Meeting Houses in New England that still presides on the town common. These early buildings always stirred my curiosity. I marveled at their construction and symmetrical designs. I especially enjoyed meeting their stewards, kindred spirits who cared deeply about history and saving Old World craftsmanship for future generations to study and enjoy. During Covid, we restored an 1818 Federal in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.  The process felt like a wonderful nostalgia tug.  I'm currently writing about this project for the Fall 2026 issue of Old House Journal.

2. What is different when it comes to writing about preservation, versus other fields such as architecture?

I have been writing about preservation for national magazines since 1989. I feel privileged to share impactful personal stories about stick-to-it-ness. Stories about heroes who see ruins, take risks, and breathe new life into tired structures. A common refrain among preservationists I’ve interviewed is:  “Everyone thought we were crazy when we took on this project.” And a common affliction is Worry.  Everyone frets about finding financial resources, appeasing historic districts, and sourcing skilled craftsmen. But every story has a happy ending. Properties are resuscitated and communities celebrate. My favorite article featured a couple who restored a 22,000 square foot Shingle Style home in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts. During the process they discovered that the home was designed by McKim, Mead and White early in their careers.

3. What challenges does preservation face when it comes to storytelling?

Every preservation story needs to delve into history. Nowadays, readers seem less interested in history and want to jump to the part of the story that focuses on a new kitchen. So, weaving the past into a strict word count can be daunting. Anecdotes certainly help .For example, when I wrote about our 1857 Italianate home Restmere for Old House Journal, I had to insert a sidebar about the 1964 Newport Folk Festival because many of the musicians camped and jammed at our house. I like to say our walls don't talk, they sing.

4. You wrote Newport Shingle Style, what interested you in this architectural style?

When I was 16, I was accepted into the American Field Service exchange program and lived with a Finnish family in Helsinki, Finland. My host father was an architect and showed me Hvittrask, the Eliel Saarinen Villa built in 1903 that now serves as a house museum. I was awestruck by the organic asymmetrical architecture that seemed to gracefully rise from the lakeside landscape and combined granite, timbers, shingles, and stucco. We visited Hvittrask last May and the architecture still captivates me.

After my Finnish experience, I enrolled at Salve Regina University and became intrigued with my residence hall, the William Watts Sherman House, designed by H.H. Richardson in 1875. The asymmetrical architecture reminded me of Hvittrask with similar pairings of granite, stucco, and shingles. I know I probably should have been more fascinated with the neighboring Gilded Age mansions but I was drawn to other Shingle Style buildings such as Ocean Lawn, the Samuel Tilton House, and the Isaac Bell House.

5. What is one of your favorite historic places in Rhode Island?

Any structure designed by McKim, Mead and White rank among my favorites. If I must be more specific, I really love the Casino. We recently visited the Tennis Hall of Fame Museum. Even though we were surrounded by memorabilia worn by tennis greats, we kept saying, “Wow!” to the preserved fireplaces, windows, doors, and decorative moldings. The entire complex is truly a treasure.