Palumbo and others like him are showing how it works on a smaller scale.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

Best of all, Palumbo is still lord of the manor and can come and go as he pleases.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

But Palumbo added that the shooting may yet be determined to be justifiable.

CNN: Video captures Michigan man's shooting by police

Mr. Palumbo is confident his legislation will pass in Rhode Island, where texting while driving has been banned since 2009.

WSJ: Bill to Ban Lap Dogs Unleashes Fight

Mr Gerbeau, 35, believes he can buy the Dome before the general election, as part of a consortium including promoter James Palumbo.

BBC: Dome race gathers pace

Palumbo expects the whole operation to be self-supporting by next year.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

At 64, Palumbo isn't ready to give up control of his houses yet, but he says he hasn't ruled out turning them into nonprofit museums someday.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

Then, in 1996, Palumbo turned Farnsworth House into a museum.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

For years, Palumbo vacationed there each August with his family.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

Palumbo has another private-house museum that is already profitable.

FORBES: Un-private Houses

Lou Palumbo, a former Long Island police officer, told CNN's " Anderson Cooper 360" that the video is "a perceptive nightmare" for a police department and could reflect a lack of training by the officers.

CNN: Video captures Michigan man's shooting by police

Ministry, owned by James Palumbo, son of Lord Palumbo, a former head of the Arts Council, now spans a record company, a magazine, a syndicated radio show, a website on which the club is broadcast live, clothes, and licensed products such as hi-fi equipment.

ECONOMIST: Much more than a good night out