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All the United States Rhode Island Newport Cornè House
Gastro Obscura

Cornè House

The home of the artist credited with introducing the tomato to the American diet.

Newport, Rhode Island

Added By
EB Savage
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Michele Felice Cornè   public domain
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About

Everyone knows tomatoes are poisonous—or rather, everyone in 18th-century New England believed this to be common knowledge. Until an artist and tomato-lover named Michel Felice Cornè emigrated from Europe and sought to change this flawed preconception.

Cornè was born in Italy and lived in France until be became disillusioned with the Napoleonic Wars. He lived in various places in New England until finally settling in Newport, Rhode Island in 1822. He loved tomatoes! He couldn’t understand why Americans refused to eat them or where they came up with the notion that the delicious fruit was deadly.

Cornè was an artist and is known especially for his naval battle paintings, many of which hang in museums throughout the Northeast. However, his true contribution to his adopted country was convincing his neighbors to eat the tomato. 

This feat was supposedly achieved by years of his neighbors watching him eat tomatoes every day. He tried to convince his neighbors in Salem and Boston when he lived in those places, but it wasn’t until coming to Newport that his message that the tomato was not poisonous finally got through to folks.

Newport and the United States owe Cornè a great debt. His house stands in town on the corner of Mill and Corne Streets. Yes, the town of Newport was filled with such gratitude, it named the street after him too.

Related Tags

Food Tomatoes Houses Plaques History Fruit Homes

Know Before You Go

This is a private residence. There is a sign on the side of the house, but please respect the owner's privacy and only view from the sidewalk.

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Added By

e1savage

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, Ultimoed

  • Collector of Experiences
  • Ultimoed

Published

May 22, 2018

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  • https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4862825,-71.3114492,3a,75y,70.19h,80.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWrUxfAeJfpg9UQ2muddN_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Felice_Corn%C3%A8
  • http://www.itchefs-gvci.com/index.php?option=com_lyftenbloggie&view=entry&category=walterpotenza&id=17:newport-usa-and-the-tomato-connection
Cornè House
2 Corne St
Newport, Rhode Island
United States
41.486295, -71.31134
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Commodore Matthew Perry Monument

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Newport Tower

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Touro Cemetery

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newport

Newport

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Commodore Matthew Perry Monument

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Newport Tower

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Touro Cemetery

Newport, Rhode Island

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newport

Newport

Rhode Island

Places 21
Stories 2

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