Secluded Serenity: The Tavares Family’s Off-Grid Cottage on Rhode Island’s Patience Island

Tucked away on Rhode Island’s Patience Island is a secluded cottage that has sparked curiosity for years. Owned by the Tavares family, the off-grid home has been in their hands since the 1990s and functions without electricity or running water. The family uses solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and other sustainable solutions to enjoy summers on the island. Despite occasional rumors about the property’s mystery, the Tavareses have quietly embraced a minimalist, self-sufficient lifestyle in the cottage.

The house, initially built in the 1950s by another family, was passed to Manuel Tavares, who fell in love with the land’s quiet and seclusion. Today, his grandchildren continue to enjoy the retreat, maintaining traditions like fishing and nights under the stars. The family travels to the island by boat, carrying supplies and prioritizing preservation of the surrounding environment.

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