According to an account by the Journal last year, the owners bought the property for $5.4 million. The granite building is on 3 Sakonnet Point Road and was originally a private home built by David Sisson, whose son, Col. Henry Tillinghast Sisson, served in the Civil War and also was a Rhode Island lieutenent governor. The building was variously a boarding house, had a basement speakeasy during Prohibition and was flooded during the 1938 hurricane. It's been a hotel prior to its new ownership, with 13 guestrooms.

A barn on the property is a restaurant.

"We are balancing the preservation and renovation of this property with sustainable development and green building standards. This project is leading the way in establishing that these two endeavors are not mutually exclusive,” Miller said in the statement.

Pishotti said Goosewing's "mission is to make every effort possible in developing hotels, restaurants, and spas in a very thoughtful and sensitive manner.

Placement on the register means:

* Recognition that a property is of local, state and national signifiance significance

* Consideration of the building's status in the planning for federal or federally assisted projects.

* Eligibility for federal tax benefits.

* Qualification for federal assistance for historic preservation when money is available.