In 1841 and 1842 Rhode Island was in a political upheaval known as the Dorr Rebellion, driven by an attempt to establish a written state constitution and expand the elective franchise. When the state legislature refused to address these issues, the people established their own constitution and elected their own governor. During the Dorr Rebellion, this house served as headquarters for the People's Government from May 16-18, 1842. From here, the People's Governor, Thomas Wilson Dorr, planned and launched his ill-fated attack on the state arsenal at the Dexter Training Ground on the night of May 17, 1842.