Visitor Guide Fall 2019

Home , Chepstow (mansion), Isaac Bell House, Kingscote (mansion), Marble House, Rosecliff, The Breakers

2019

Make Your Own History

NewportMansions.org A Warm Welcome

The Breakers is Waiting for You! Credit Hawk Visuals, LLC

Whatever your interest - servant life, decorative arts, Create Your Own technology, architecture, landscapes or family history - Newport Mansions Experience you’ll fnd it at the Newport Mansions. You can learn about our audio or guide-led tours, behind-the-scenes at The Breakers Welcome Center and underground tours, children’s tours, garden tours, custom tours and more, at The Breakers Welcome Center. You can also purchase tickets and memberships online or at each of the Newport Mansions. Refreshments are available daily for ticketed guests and members. There’s something for everyone at The Breakers Welcome Center the Newport Mansions.

The Garden Café offers the perfect setting for a beverage, snack or lunch. Enjoy the beauty of the manicured grounds as you plan the rest of your day. Open Daily Indoor & Outdoor Seating Available Available to Preservation Society members & ticket holders Beneath The Breakers Gertrude Vanderbilt, c. 1895 Detail

THE BREAKERS 1895 National Historic Landmark The Breakers is a surviving jewel of the New York Central Railroad fortune, making a statement about the global sensibilities of the Vanderbilt family. The 70-room See the summer estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II includes a two and a half story high Great Hall and a technology that Morning Room adorned with platinum leaf wall panels. Its interiors feature made the elegance possible. rare marble, alabaster, and gilded woods throughout. Daily Including: Below The Breakers was • The emergence of the THE BREAKERS a marvel of Gilded Age modern elevator; AMILY OUR F T technology. Take a guide-led • The modern plumbing & tour through the boiler room, Children will love hearing the voice of laundry facilities; tunnel and basement to learn The Breakers “talk” directly to them in • The revolutionary how daily life in that era was this imaginative audio tour. Hear from infrastructure that heated transformed by new wonders. & cooled the great house. family members and staff, and see fanciful creatures like the dolphin hiding under the Tours Daily grand staircase and the dragons in the dining room. Reservations Required Bring YOUR family – and your imagination! NewportMansions.org 401.847.1000 On view at Rosecliff

ROSECLIFF 1902 The audio tour brings Rosecliff’s history and romance to life with never-before- told stories and frst person remembrances of its colorful families. From Tessie Oelrichs, who built this fantasy in terra cotta, to the Monroes of New Orleans, the last family to call Rosecliff home, Tessie Fair Oelrichs, c. 1914 you’ll discover the very human story of Newport’s great party house.

Through November 3, 2019

This exhibition colorfully explores the naturalist’s relentless pursuit of the birds of America and Audubon’s singular determination in seeing his beautiful artworks published. Included with Rosecliff admission.

PLAN AN EVENT Glistening white and boasting ocean views, Rosecliff provides the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Whether planning a corporate event or grand wedding, this Gilded Age masterpiece is the ideal setting. [email protected] Enjoy a beverage or snack at the Chinese Tea House

MARBLE HOUSE 1892 National Historic Landmark

Created by Alva Vanderbilt and Richard Morris Hunt and inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, Marble House contains 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Intended as an ultimate statement of Gilded Age privilege, only a few years later it CHINESE TEA HOUSE hosted Alva’s “Votes for Women” AT MARBLE HOUSE rallies on the back lawn. Hear the Bordering the Cliff Walk and offering sweeping views of the words of Alva Vanderbilt, her Atlantic Ocean on one side and Marble House on the other, Vanderbilt family on yacht, 1888 daughter Consuelo and many the Chinese Tea House is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy more, brought to life in the a beverage, snack or lunch and the view! award-winning audio tour. Indoor & Outdoor Seating Available Special Art Installation at Marble House Available to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

Nicolas Party at Marble House is a site-specifc installation in which renowned artist, Nicolas Party, unites the past with the present through a selection of new works. This installation refects Party’s own relationship with roughrough September September 2019 2019 the space, his fascination with Alva Vanderbilt Belmont (the original owner of Marble House), and his experience NicolasNicolas Party Party working with marble as a material. Party’s work is infuenced by the Surrealist movement, which pairs elements atat Marble Marble House House generally considered “mismatched” in an attempt to draw the viewer’s attention to visual details often overlooked. Jointly presented by CuratedCurated by by DodieDodie Kazanjian Kazanjian The Preservation Society of Newport County Behind The Scenes at The Elms!

THE ELMS 1901 National Historic Landmark Daily The summer retreat of coal magnate Edward Berwind and his wife Herminie, The Elms was a thoroughly See what made “modern” house in 1901. So technologically advanced for its time it appeared to work “as if by magic,” it also The Elms run houses monumental art works, including wall-sized Venetian paintings, Chinese lacquer panels and tapestries. by “magic.”

THE ELMS SERVANT LIFE TOUR Through a guide-led tour, learn about the men and women “below stairs” who serviced the social whirl during the Gilded Age. Maintaining the elaborate lifestyle of one of Newport’s most elegant homes required the hard work of more than 40 men THE ELMS SUNKEN GARDEN and women. Go behind the scenes, hear the personal stories and see photos of the butler, Ernest Birch; his wife, the cook The elaborate Classical Revival gardens on the grounds Grace Rhodes; and one of the maids, Nellie Lynch Regoli. were developed between 1907-1914. At the western end of the property is the lavish sunken garden, with its colorful display of French parterre beds flled with pink begonias, You’ll see… blue ageratum, fne specimen trees, clipped hedges, fountains • Basement work areas, including and marble pavilions. kitchens, laundry room, boiler room and coal tunnel • Third foor servant living quarters • A rooftop view of Newport (weather permitting)

This is a true upstairs/downstairs tour. You will climb several fights of stairs.

Tours Daily Staff c.1930 Reservations Required NewportMansions.org 401.847.1000 “Always worth the visit! The mansions are beautiful and well maintained. Plus, everyone working in the houses is pleasant and readily available to help. I have been so impressed that I joined the Society as a member! If you like history, opulence, mansions... these tours are for you!” CHATEAU-SUR-MER Trip Advisor Traveler Review 1852 National Historic Landmark

KINGSCOTE 1841 National Historic Landmark

A product of the America-China Trade and one of America’s great Built in 1841 for Georgia Victorian houses, Chateau-sur-Mer plantation owner George was home to three generations of Noble Jones and rebuilt the Wetmore family. You’ll see for the King family in hand-carved Italian woodwork, 1881, Kingscote still Chinese porcelains, Egyptian and possesses original rooms Japanese Revival stenciled wallpapers, Senator Wetmore, 1919 from each era. Its and rare trees from as far away as Mongolia. furnishings refect the King family’s success as Guide-led Tours Every 30 minutes 10 am – 5 pm China Trade merchants, with rare furniture, silver collections and Chinese decorative arts. Mrs. E. Maitland Armstrong & children, c. 1915

Through September 2 Guide-led Tours Hourly on the hour 10 am – 5 pm

September 3 – October 14 Guide-led Tours 10 am • 12 pm • 2 pm • 4 pm

Don’t Miss the Chateau-sur-Mer Landscape Tour! Use your smart phone to explore the grounds. Included with your admission. “Incredible Group. The amount of work the Preservation Society accomplishes is astounding. They do an amazing job keeping the historical gems in beautiful condition for generations to enjoy and learn from.” Trip Advisor Traveler Review

HUNTER HOUSE ISAAC BELL HOUSE C. 1748 National Historic Landmark 1883 National Historic Landmark

Pass through the front door of Hunter House into Newport’s This masterpiece of the American Shingle Style features 18th-century Golden Age, before the American Revolution. Arts and Crafts interiors, Japanese-inspired columns, and It was the home of a merchant, ship owner and colonial deputy, a sweeping open foor plan. Together with Kingscote, these and later became the Revolutionary War headquarters of the two picturesque cottages illustrate Newport’s evolution as a French Navy. See a great collection of exquisite colonial premier place for great design, fne living and the creation furniture, created by legendary Newport craftsmen like the of a distinctly American style of architecture. Townsends and Goddards. Through September 2 Guide-led Tours 10:30 am • 12:30 pm • 2:30 pm • 4:30 pm Guide-led Tours Hourly on the ½ hour 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

September 3 – October 14 HEPSTOW 1861 C Guide-led Tours 10:30 am • 12:30 pm • 2:30 pm • 4:30 pm

THE NEWPORT MANSIONS ARBORETUM

This Italianate-style cottage designed by Newport architect George Champlin Mason refects the mid-20th-century style The Elms Sunken Garden of its last owner, Alletta Morris McBean, a descendant of Lewis Morris III, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Newport was renowned in the 18th century as the “Eden of The house contains original furnishings, and a collection of America.” The properties of the Preservation Society have been important 19th-century American paintings, including offcially recognized as one of only a handful of accredited arboreta Hudson River School landscapes. in New England. Our 88 acres of historic landscapes represent an outstanding chapter in the nation’s history of garden design, Guide-led Tours 10:30 am • 12:30 pm • 2:30 pm • 4:30 pm horticulture and early tree and plant propagation. Custom Tours at the Newport Mansions GREEN ANIMALS TOPIARY GARDEN c. 1860

The Breakers

Dozens of fanciful animals, Customize your own unique and exclusive tour experience a sailing ship, teacups, by arranging Private and Personal Tours. Your guide spirals and other geometric will lead you through your choice of our historic houses shapes sculpted from living spanning three centuries of American art, architecture, plants populate one of the social history and landscapes. Hear stories of railroad oldest topiary gardens in tycoons and dollar princesses as you’re surrounded by North America. 22k gold and platinum leaf wall panels and Bacarrat crystal chandeliers. Up to 10 persons per tour. A lion, a camel, a bear, oh my! Private Tours The most exclusive experiences are Private Tours offered only at limited times of day when our house museums are not otherwise open to touring by the public. Available • The Breakers Weekdays at 5:45 pm • Marble House, The Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer & Kingscote Daily 9:00 am - 11:00 am

• Hunter House & Isaac Bell House By appointment

Personal Tours Topiary Garden: Self-guided Tours Personal Tours can be arranged Brayton House: during normal Through September 2 operating hours. Alva Vanderbilt Guide-led Tours Daily 10:30 am•11:30•1:30 pm•2:30•3:30•4:30 pm September 3 – October 14 To request your custom tour Guide-led Tours Weekends & Holidays 401.847.1000, ext. 105 or 10:30 am•11:30•1:30 pm•2:30•3:30•4:30 pm [email protected]

NewportMansions.org • 401.847.1000 NewportMansions.org/CustomTours House to House Walking Times Average Times Enjoy lunch & snacks at the Garden Café, Kingscote [#7] to The Elms [#5] 12 Minutes The Breakers. The Elms [#5] to Chateau-sur-Mer [#4] 12 Minutes Chateau-sur-Mer [#4] to The Breakers [#1] 12 Minutes Limited Accessibility # # The Breakers 1 Chateau-sur-Mer [ 4] to Rosecliff [ 3] 16 Minutes 7 Kingscote 44 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840 Rosecliff [#3] to Marble House [#2] 7 Minutes 253 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 Parking available at all Preservation Society properties. Map is not to scale and not all roads are shown. 1

Audio Tour Languages

Enjoy lunch & snacks Limited Accessibility Marble House 2 at the Chinese Tea House, 8 Chepstow Audio tours of The Breakers, The Elms Marble House. 596 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 & Marble House available in English, 120 Narragansett Ave., Newport, RI 02840 French, German & Spanish.

Audio tours of The Breakers & The Elms also available in Chinese.

Limited Accessibility Rosecliff 3 9 The Breakers Stable & Carriage House 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 2 53 Coggeshall Ave., Newport, RI 02840 3 4 Rovensky Park 5 6 7

Chateau-sur-Mer 4 10 Hunter House 474 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 54 Washington St., Newport, RI 02840

Base Map by Great Swamp Press www.greatswamppress.com

Bellevue Avenue History Trail Getting Around Newport Enjoy a self-guided walking tour along Bellevue Avenue to learn Park your car at the Limited Accessibility The Elms 5 Audio Tours about one of America’s most legendary streets. A series of 11 Newport Visitors Center, 11 Green Animals Topiary Garden 367 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 markers provides comprehensive information about the history 23 America’s Cup Ave. 380 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871 of both existing and long-gone buildings. and purchase an all-day Parking Available pass to ride RIPTA. Ride the Yellow Line trolley to the Newport Mansions. Stroller Policy Limited Accessibility 10 Hunter House 11 Green Animals 12 Newport Mansions We encourage the use of baby slings or baby backpacks as an Topiary Garden Store at Bannister’s Wharf, Lane Hedley alternative to strollers. Strollers cannot be accommodated due to risk America’s Cup

Elm St. Bellevue Ave.

of damage to historic walls and furniture. Visitors Spring St. Preservation Society Property Isaac Bell House Second St. Center Thames St. 6 Cory’s lane RT. 114N Memorial Blvd. Parking Newport 10 miles America’s Cup

70 Perry Street, Newport, RI 02840 Wharf Bannister’s Washington St. Newport Newport Mansions Store Hunter 12 12 All Preservation Society properties are 10 Green Mansions Bannister’s Wharf, America’s Cup Ave., Newport Mansions House 11 Animals Store smoke-free. Newport, RI 02840 Enjoy a Beverage, Snack or Lunch

GARDEN CAFÉ AT THE BREAKERS & CHINESE TEA HOUSE AT MARBLE HOUSE

The Breakers Welcome Center

Indoor & Outdoor Seating Available Whether it’s the lush, tree-lined Available daily to Preservation Society members & ticket holders Gilded Age landscape bordering the Garden Café at The Breakers or the Daily offerings sweeping vista of the include coffee, Atlantic Ocean behind the Chinese Tea House pastries, fresh salads, at Marble House, take a break in between wraps, sandwiches, touring and grab a snack, beverage or lunch. yogurt, snacks and Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. hot and cold beverages.

Chinese Tea House

NewportMansions.org • 401.847.1000 World Class Wines & Award Winning Chefs

• The Burgundy Grand Cru Dinner at The Elms • Wine & Rosecliff Gala • Grand Tastings at Marble House • Celebrity Chef Demonstrations

• Vintner Dinner Culinary Director at Large at Rosecliff Marble House, • Seminars National Historic at The Breakers Stable Landmark & Carriage House Presenting Sponsor Culinary Stage Sponsor • Newport After Dark Party Special Guest • Sunday Jazz Brunch Justin Chapple

September 19-22 Supporting Historic Preservation in Newport, RI NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org Shop

51ST SEASON JULY 4 - 28

WWW.NEWPORTMUSIC.ORG • BOX OFFICE: (401) 849-0700

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

NewportStyle.net is your online connection to all the casual elegance and fun that is distinctively Newport. Every purchase helps support the mission of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Shop online at NewportStyle.net The Breakers

November 23 – January 1, 2020 Open Daily NEWPORT The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House & Rosecliff The glitter of gold and sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you MANSIONS STORES tour these Gilded Age mansions decked out in Yuletide fnery. Newport Mansions Stores are located at The Breakers, Marble House, The Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions Elms, Rosecliff, Green Animals Topiary Enjoy live holiday music and light refreshments as you stroll Garden and on Bannister’s Wharf. Tour through these great houses. Don’t miss an extra special and admission is not required to shop at any unique experience! Saturdays, November 30 – December 28 of our stores. Hours of Operation 2019-2020 Schedule Schedule subject to change. March 30 – November 2 The Breakers & Rosecliff open at 9 am. Through March 29 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms & Marble House All other properties open at 10 am.

Last admission at Rosecliff is 4 pm. March 30 - May 17 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Last admission at Chepstow, Hunter House & Chateau-sur-Mer & Green Animals Topiary Garden Isaac Bell House is 4:30 pm. Green Animals Topiary Garden opens April 13. Last admission at all other properties is 5 pm. May 18 – October 14 Open Daily June 29 – September 1 The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Last admission at The Breakers is 6 pm weekends, 5 pm weekdays Chateau-sur-Mer, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Chepstow, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House & Kingscote September 3 – October 14 Last admission at Kingscote is 4 pm The Breakers Stable & Carriage House open June 29– September 2.

Marble House closed September 20. November 3 – January 1, 2020 Marble House open only to Wine & Food Festival ticket holders The Breakers & Rosecliff open at 9 am. September 21 & 22. All other properties open at 10 am. Last admission at all properties is 4 pm. October 15 – November 22 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff & All houses & grounds close one hour after last tour admission. Chateau-sur-Mer Rosecliff closed November 4 - December 7. Daytime tours of The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House & Rosecliff are self-guided audio tours. Guide-led tours For updates on Preservation Society activities at all houses except Green Animals Topiary Garden. while you’re in Newport, download the FREE BUKI app at letsbuki.com January – March, guide-led tours may be offered in place of self-guided audio tours.

The Breakers Christmas at the Newport Mansions

November 23 – January 1, 2020 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House & Rosecliff Rosecliff closed November 4 – December 7.

All properties closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. “Family Friendly Mansion! The ABSOLUTE BEST PART is The Breakers offers a children’s tour, which is fabulous! My niece December 24 – Last admission 3 pm. loved hearing the “old house” talk to her and tell stories about the kids that lived there! The adults even switched over to hear the Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions children’s version... it was entertaining to us, too!” Trip Advisor Traveler Review The Breakers – November 30, December 7, 14, 28 6 pm – 8 pm The Elms & Marble House Duet – December 21 6 pm – 9 pm NewportMansions.org • 401.847.1000 Membership is Admission & Membership Benefts of Membership Members Free the Best Value Member Adult Youth 6-17 Standard Membership Premium Membership The Newport Mansions Free $38 $12 • Free & unlimited admission to regular tours for one year • All the benefts of Standard Membership Experience • Discounts on The Elms Servant Life Tour & • Free PLUS upgrade (one guest free per visit) Admission to any 5 properties, excluding Hunter House Beneath The Breakers Tour • Free Participation in the North American • 10% discount in our Newport Mansions Stores Reciprocal Museums Association (NARM) The Breakers Plus Free $32 $9 • Invitations to exclusive programs • Free guest passes Admission to The Breakers plus 1 other property, excluding Hunter House • Savings on events, lectures and flms • Opportunity to rent a Preservation Society venue • Discount on Newport Harbor & helicopter tours The Breakers Free $ $ 26 8 $ • Opportunity to arrange a custom tour Steward 250 ($178 tax-deductible) Premium Membership benefts plus 4 single-use guest passes. 1 Property Free $ $ $ 18 8 Student 35 (tax-deductible) $ Standard benefts for one student. Valid student ID required. Patron 500 ($392 tax-deductible) Excluding The Breakers & Hunter House Premium Membership benefts plus 6 single-use guest passes $ Individual 60 (tax-deductible) and recognition in Annual Report. $ $ $ Premium Tour 24 49 16 Standard benefts for one adult. $ Benefactor 1,000 ($820 tax-deductible) The Breakers Admission to The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff $ Premium Membership benefts plus 10 single-use guest passes and Lunch at Garden Café at The Breakers or Chinese Tea House Dual 90 (tax-deductible) Standard benefts for two adults living in the same household, no children. and recognition in Annual Report. at Marble House $ Household 105 (tax-deductible) Beneath The Breakers Tour $15 $20 $10 Standard benefts for two adults and all children ages 6 - 17 “Buy Membership! It was cheaper to buy a Preservation Society Join Today in the same household. membership and you were able to see & tour all of the sites. Your $ $ $ The Elms Servant Life Tour 12 15 7.50 Military membership is good for a year, and you can go back during the $ Free admission to all 11 properties 15 Discount on Individual, Dual or Household. For active, Christmas season and see their display.” $ $ Hunter House Free 35 8 reserve or retired military with valid military ID. Trip Advisor Traveler Review Multi-house tickets not valid at Hunter House $ PLUS Upgrade 35 Add to any Standard Membership. Winter Passport Free $35 $10 Bring 1 guest Free per visit. Member must accompany guest. Admission to all properties open November 23, 2019 to March, 2020 Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions Rosecliff In advance $30 $38 $10 Day of $35 $48 $15

Admission tickets may be upgraded to a membership (limits apply). Marble House Purchase tickets at all properties, Newport Visitors Center & online at NewportMansions.org Tickets can be used over multiple days. No expiration date. Chateau-sur-Mer Visitors with special needs, call 401.847.1000, ext. 158 Schedule Your Group Today How To Join Exclusive group rates for 20 or more with advance reservations. 401.847.2251 or [email protected] Online: www.NewportMansions.org In Person: Visit any Newport Mansions ticket desk NEWPORT MANSIONS® is a registered trademark of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Tickets should not be presented at any other mansion The ELms The Breakers Membership 401.847.1000 ext. 111 in Newport except The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Offce: [email protected] 424 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI 02840 NewportMansions.org Marble House and Rosecliff. NewportMansions.org • 401.847.1000 Partners in Preservation

Stop By For A Snack Garden Café at The Breakers Chinese Teahouse at Marble House

Coffee, pastries, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks and hot and cold beverages available daily. Indoor & Outdoor Seating Available Available to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

For updates on Preservation Society activities while you’re in Newport, download the FREE BUKI app at letsbuki.com

Share your visit experience. When you get home, please rate us on tripadvisor®: tripadvisor.com/reviewit

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© 2019 The Preservation Society of Newport County. All Rights Reserved. All images reproduced within are under the prior copyrights of their owners. Nothing may be reproduced in any form without permission of the owners. Photo Credits: Gavin Ashworth, Ralph Belfiglio Astor Place, Andrea Carneiro, Jennifer Carter, Richard Cheek, John Corbett, Images used under license from Shutterstock.com, Stephen Mattos, Melissa Ostrow, Melissa Robotti Photography, Roskelly.com & B.A. Shea

2019VG2 Cover Images: Clockwise The Elms, Consuelo Vanderbilt, c. 1900, The Breakers

NewportMansions.org 401.847.1000