Newport, Rhode Island

NewportMansions .org

®

2019

Make Your Own History

Create Your Own Newport Mansions Experience at The Breakers Welcome Center

A Warm Welcome is Waiting for You!Whatever your interest - servant life, decorative arts, technology, architecture, landscapes or family history - you’ll find it at the Newport Mansions. You can learn about our audio or guide-led tours, behind-the-scenes

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 Newport Mansions.

The Breakers Credit Hawk Visuals, LLC

The Breakers Welcome Center

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 summer estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II includes a two and a half story high Great Hall and a Morning Room adorned with platinum leaf wall panels. Its interiors feature rare marble, alabaster, and gilded woods throughout.

The Breakers 1895 National Historic Landmark

The Breakers Family Tour

DailyBelow The Breakers was a marvel of Gilded Age technology. Take a guide-led tour through the boiler room, tunnel and basement to learn how daily life in that era was transformed by new wonders.

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

Including:

• The emergence of the modern elevator;

• The modern plumbing & laundry facilities;

• The revolutionary infrastructure that heated & cooled the great house.

See the technology that

made the elegance possible.

Children will love hearing the voice of The Breakers “talk” directly to them in this imaginative audio tour. Hear from family members and staff, and see fanciful creatures like the dolphin hiding under the grand staircase and the dragons in the dining room.

Bring YOUR family – and your imagination!

Gertrude Vanderbilt, c. 1895 DetailBeneath The Breakers

Tours DailyReservations Required

NewportMansions .org 401 .847 .1000

at The Breakers

Indoor & Outdoor Seating AvailableAvailable to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

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.

Events@NewportMansions.org

The audio tour brings Rosecliff’s history and romance to life with never-before-told stories and first 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, you’ll discover the very human story of Newport’s great party house.

rosecliFF 1902

Tessie Fair Oelrichs, c. 1914

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.

On view at Rosecliff

Through November 3, 2019

Nicolas Party at Marble House

Curated by Dodie Kazanjian

�rough September 2019Nicolas Party

at Marble House

Curated by Dodie Kazanjian

�rough September 2019

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 hosted Alva’s “Votes for Women” rallies on the back lawn. Hear the words of Alva Vanderbilt, her daughter Consuelo and many more, brought to life in the award-winning audio tour.

Nicolas Party at Marble House is a site-specific installation in which renowned artist, Nicolas Party, unites the past with the present through a selection of new works.

This installation reflects Party’s own relationship with the space, his fascination with Alva Vanderbilt Belmont (the original owner of Marble House), and his experience working with marble as a material. Party’s work is influenced by the Surrealist movement, which pairs elements generally considered “mismatched” in an attempt to draw the viewer’s attention to visual details often overlooked.

Jointly presented by

The Preservation Society of Newport County

Vanderbilt family on yacht, 1888

marBle house 1892 National Historic Landmark

Enjoy a beverage or snack at the Chinese Tea House

chinese Tea house aT marBle house

Bordering the Cliff Walk and offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Marble House on the other, the Chinese Tea House is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a beverage, snack or lunch and the view!

Indoor & Outdoor Seating AvailableAvailable to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

Nicolas Party at Marble House

Curated by Dodie Kazanjian

�rough September 2019

Special Art Installation at Marble House

The elms 1901 National Historic Landmark

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

The elaborate Classical Revival gardens on the grounds 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 filled with pink begonias, blue ageratum, fine specimen trees, clipped hedges, fountains and marble pavilions.

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 and women. Go behind the scenes, hear the personal stories and see photos of the butler, Ernest Birch; his wife, the cook Grace Rhodes; and one of the maids, Nellie Lynch Regoli.

You’ll see…

• Basement work areas, including kitchens, laundry room, boiler room and coal tunnel

• Third floor servant living quarters

• A rooftop view of Newport (weather permitting)

This is a true upstairs/downstairs tour.

You will climb several flights of stairs.

The elms servanT liFe Tour

The elms sunken Garden

Staff c.1930

Behind The Scenes at The Elms!

Daily

See what made The Elms run by “magic.”

Tours DailyReservations 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!”

Trip Advisor Traveler Review

A product of the America-China Trade and one of America’s great Victorian houses, Chateau-sur-Mer was home to three generations of the Wetmore family. You’ll see hand-carved Italian woodwork, Chinese porcelains, Egyptian and Japanese Revival stenciled wallpapers, and rare trees from as far away as Mongolia.

chaTeau-sur-mer 1852 National Historic Landmark

Built in 1841 for Georgia plantation owner George Noble Jones and rebuilt for the King family in 1881, Kingscote still possesses original rooms from each era. Its furnishings reflect the King family’s success as China Trade merchants, with rare furniture, silver collections and Chinese decorative arts.

kinGscoTe 1841 National Historic Landmark

Mrs. E. Maitland Armstrong & children, c. 1915

Senator Wetmore, 1919

Don’t Miss the Chateau-sur-Mer Landscape Tour!

Use your smart phone to explore the grounds.

Included with your admission.

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

Guide-led Tours Every 30 minutes 10 am – 5 pm

hunTer house c. 1748 National Historic Landmark

Pass through the front door of Hunter House into Newport’s 18th-century Golden Age, before the American Revolution. It was the home of a merchant, ship owner and colonial deputy, and later became the Revolutionary War headquarters of the French Navy. See a great collection of exquisite colonial furniture, created by legendary Newport craftsmen like the Townsends and Goddards.

“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

isaac Bell house 1883 National Historic Landmark

chePsTow 1861

This masterpiece of the American Shingle Style features Arts and Crafts interiors, Japanese-inspired columns, and a sweeping open floor plan. Together with Kingscote, these two picturesque cottages illustrate Newport’s evolution as a premier place for great design, fine living and the creation of a distinctly American style of architecture.

This Italianate-style cottage designed by Newport architect George Champlin Mason reflects the mid-20th-century style of its last owner, Alletta Morris McBean, a descendant of Lewis Morris III, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house contains original furnishings, and a collection of important 19th-century American paintings, including Hudson River School landscapes.

Guide-led Tours 10:30 am • 12:30 pm • 2:30 pm • 4:30 pm

Guide-led Tours 10:30 am • 12:30 pm • 2:30 pm • 4:30 pmThrough September 2 Guide-led Tours Hourly on the ½ hour 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

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

Newport was renowned in the 18th century as the “Eden of America.” The properties of the Preservation Society have been officially recognized as one of only a handful of accredited arboreta in New England. Our 88 acres of historic landscapes represent an outstanding chapter in the nation’s history of garden design, horticulture and early tree and plant propagation.

The newPorT mansions arBoreTum

The Elms Sunken Garden

NewportMansions .org • 401 .847 .1000

Customize your own unique and exclusive tour experience by arranging Private and Personal Tours. Your guide will lead you through your choice of our historic houses spanning three centuries of American art, architecture, social history and landscapes. Hear stories of railroad tycoons and dollar princesses as you’re surrounded by 22k gold and platinum leaf wall panels and Bacarrat crystal chandeliers. Up to 10 persons per tour.

Custom Tours at theNewport Mansions

Private ToursThe 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

Personal Tours can be arranged during normal operating hours.

To request your custom tour 401 .847 .1000 , ext . 105 or

CustomTours@NewportMansions .org

NewportMansions .org/CustomTours

A lion, a camel, a bear, oh my!

Green animals ToPiary Garden c. 1860

Dozens of fanciful animals, a sailing ship, teacups, spirals and other geometric shapes sculpted from living plants populate one of the oldest topiary gardens in North America.

The Breakers

Alva Vanderbilt

Topiary Garden: Self-guided Tours

Brayton House:Through September 2 Guide-led Tours Daily 10:30 am•11:30•1:30 pm•2:30•3:30•4:30 pm

September 3 – October 14 Guide-led Tours Weekends & Holidays 10:30 am•11:30•1:30 pm•2:30•3:30•4:30 pm

12

8

1

9

4

7

2

House to House Walking Times Average Times

Kingscote [#7] to The Elms [#5] 12 Minutes

The Elms [#5] to Chateau-sur-Mer [#4] 12 Minutes

Chateau-sur-Mer [#4] to The Breakers [#1] 12 Minutes

Chateau-sur-Mer [#4] to Rosecliff [#3] 16 Minutes

Rosecliff [#3] to Marble House [#2] 7 Minutes

Parking available at all Preservation Society properties. Map is not to scale and not all roads are shown.

Enjoy lunch & snacks at the Chinese Tea House,

Marble House.

Audio Tour Languages

7

8

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

10

11

Base Map by Great Swamp Press www.greatswamppress.com

Rovensky Park

Visitors Center Parking

Washington St.

Second St.

Elm St.

America’s Cup

Hunter House 10

RT. 114N

Hedley Lane

Newp

ort 1

0 m

iles

11

America’s Cup

Thames St.

Bellevue Ave.Spring St.

Bannister’s W

harf Newport Mansions Store

12

10 Hunter House 11 Green Animals Topiary Garden

12 Newport Mansions Store at Bannister’s Wharf,

Cory’s lane

Mem

orial

Blvd.

Green Animals

56

3

The Breakers 44 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Marble House596 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Rosecliff548 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Chateau-sur-Mer474 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Hunter House54 Washington St., Newport, RI 02840

The Breakers Stable & Carriage House53 Coggeshall Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Chepstow120 Narragansett Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Kingscote253 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Limited Accessibility

Limited Accessibility

Limited Accessibility

Audio tours of The Breakers, The Elms & Marble House available in English, French, German & Spanish.

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

Stroller PolicyWe encourage the use of baby slings or baby backpacks as an alternative to strollers. Strollers cannot be accommodated due to risk of damage to historic walls and furniture.

All Preservation Society properties are smoke-free.

Preservation Society Property

Newport Mansions

Parking Available

Limited Accessibility

Audio Tours

Getting Around NewportPark your car at the Newport Visitors Center, 23 America’s Cup Ave. and purchase an all-day pass to ride RIPTA. Ride the Yellow Line trolley to the Newport Mansions.

Bellevue Avenue History TrailEnjoy a self-guided walking tour along Bellevue Avenue to learn about one of America’s most legendary streets. A series of 11 markers provides comprehensive information about the history of both existing and long-gone buildings.

Enjoy lunch & snacks at the Garden Café, The Breakers.

Newport Mansions StoreBannister’s Wharf, America’s Cup Ave., Newport, RI 02840

The Elms367 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840

Isaac Bell House70 Perry Street, Newport, RI 02840

Green Animals Topiary Garden380 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871

Limited Accessibility

NewportMansions .org • 401 .847 .1000

The Breakers Welcome Center

Garden caFé aT The Breakers & chinese Tea house aT marBle house

Enjoy a Beverage, Snack or Lunch

Whether it’s the lush, tree-lined Gilded Age landscape bordering the Garden Café at The Breakers or the sweeping vista of the Atlantic Ocean behind the Chinese Tea House at Marble House, take a break in between touring and grab a snack, beverage or lunch. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

Chinese Tea House

Indoor & Outdoor Seating AvailableAvailable daily to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

Daily offerings include coffee, pastries, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks and hot and cold beverages.

NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org

• The Burgundy Grand Cru Dinner at The Elms

• Wine & Rosecliff Gala

• Grand Tastings at Marble House

• Celebrity Chef Demonstrations

• Vintner Dinner at Rosecliff

• Seminars at The Breakers Stable & Carriage House

• Newport After Dark Party

• Sunday Jazz Brunch

September 19-22

Presenting Sponsor Culinary Stage Sponsor

Supporting Historic Preservation in Newport, RI

World Class Wines & Award Winning Chefs

Marble House, National Historic Landmark

Special Guest Justin Chapple

Culinary Director

November 23 – January 1, 2020 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House & Rosecliff

The glitter of gold and sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour these Gilded Age mansions decked out in Yuletide finery.

Holiday Evenings at the Newport MansionsEnjoy live holiday music and light refreshments as you stroll through these great houses. Don’t miss an extra special and unique experience! Saturdays, November 30 – December 28

Newpor tS ty le .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 Newpor tS ty le .net

newPorT mansions sToresNewport Mansions Stores are located at The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Green Animals Topiary Garden and on Bannister’s Wharf. Tour admission is not required to shop at any of our stores.

Shop

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

51 ST SEASONJ U LY 4 - 2 8

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

The Breakers

Hours of OperationMarch 30 – November 2The Breakers & Rosecliff open at 9 am. All other properties open at 10 am.

Last admission at Rosecliff is 4 pm.

Last admission at Chepstow, Hunter House & Isaac Bell House is 4:30 pm.

Last admission at all other properties is 5 pm.

June 29 – September 1 Last admission at The Breakers is 6 pm weekends, 5 pm weekdays

September 3 – October 14 Last admission at Kingscote is 4 pm

November 3 – January 1, 2020

The Breakers & Rosecliff open at 9 am. All other properties open at 10 am.

Last admission at all properties is 4 pm.

Daytime tours of The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House & Rosecliff are self-guided audio tours. Guide-led tours at all houses except Green Animals Topiary Garden. January – March, guide-led tours may be offered in place of self-guided audio tours.

All houses & grounds close one hour after last tour admission.

“Family Friendly Mansion! The ABSOLUTE BEST PART is The Breakers offers a children’s tour, which is fabulous! My niece 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 children’s version... it was entertaining to us, too!”

Trip Advisor Traveler Review

NewportMansions .org • 401 .847 .1000

Through March 29 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms & Marble House

March 30 - May 17 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer & Green Animals Topiary Garden

Green Animals Topiary Garden opens April 13.

May 18 – October 14 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Chepstow, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House & Kingscote

The Breakers Stable & Carriage House open June 29– September 2.

Marble House closed September 20.

Marble House open only to Wine & Food Festival ticket holders September 21 & 22.

October 15 – November 22 Open Daily The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff & Chateau-sur-Mer

Rosecliff closed November 4 - December 7.

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.

December 24 – Last admission 3 pm.

Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions

The Breakers – November 30, December 7, 14, 28 6 pm – 8 pm

The Elms & Marble House Duet – December 21 6 pm – 9 pm

Schedule subject to change.2019-2020 Schedule

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

The Breakers

• All the benefits of Standard Membership

• Free PLUS upgrade (one guest free per visit)

• Free Participation in the North American Reciprocal Museums Association (NARM)

• Free guest passes

• Opportunity to rent a Preservation Society venue

Premium Membership

Admission & MembershipMembers Free

Purchase tickets at all properties, Newport Visitors Center & online at NewportMansions.org

Tickets can be used over multiple days. No expiration date.

Visitors with special needs, call 401.847.1000, ext. 158

NEWPORT MANSIONS® is a registered trademark of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Tickets should not be presented at any other mansion in Newport except The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House and Rosecliff.

“Buy Membership! It was cheaper to buy a Preservation Society membership and you were able to see & tour all of the sites. Your membership is good for a year, and you can go back during the Christmas season and see their display.”

Trip Advisor Traveler Review

How To JoinOnline: www.NewportMansions.org

In Person: Visit any Newport Mansions ticket desk

Membership 401.847.1000 ext. 111

Office: Members@NewportMansions.org 424 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI 02840NewportMansions .org • 401 .847 .1000

Admission tickets may be upgraded to a membership (limits apply).

PLUS Upgrade $35 Add to any Standard Membership.

Bring 1 guest Free per visit. Member must accompany guest.

• Free & unlimited admission to regular tours for one year • Discounts on The Elms Servant Life Tour & Beneath The Breakers Tour• 10% discount in our Newport Mansions Stores • Invitations to exclusive programs• Savings on events, lectures and films• Discount on Newport Harbor & helicopter tours • Opportunity to arrange a custom tour

Standard Membership

Benefits of MembershipMembership is the Best Value

Join TodayFree admission to all 11 properties

The Breakers

The Breakers

The ELms

Rosecliff

Chateau-sur-Mer

Marble House

NewportMansions .org

Member Adult Youth 6-17

The Newport Mansions Free $38 $12 Experience Admission to any 5 properties, excluding Hunter House

The Breakers Plus Free $32 $9 Admission to The Breakers plus 1 other property, excluding Hunter House

The Breakers Free $26 $8 1 Property Free $18 $8 Excluding The Breakers & Hunter House

Premium Tour $24 $49 $16 Admission to The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff and Lunch at Garden Café at The Breakers or Chinese Tea House at Marble House

Beneath The Breakers Tour $15 $20 $10

The Elms Servant Life Tour $12 $15 $7.50

Hunter House Free $35 $8 Multi-house tickets not valid at Hunter House

Winter Passport Free $35 $10 Admission to all properties open November 23, 2019 to March, 2020

Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions In advance $30 $38 $10

Day of $35 $48 $15

Schedule Your Group TodayExclusive group rates for 20 or more with advance reservations. 401.847.2251 or Groups@NewportMansions.org

Steward $250 ($178 tax-deductible) Premium Membership benefits plus 4 single-use guest passes.

Patron $500 ($392 tax-deductible) Premium Membership benefits plus 6 single-use guest passes and recognition in Annual Report.

Benefactor $1,000 ($820 tax-deductible) Premium Membership benefits plus 10 single-use guest passes and recognition in Annual Report.

Student $35 (tax-deductible) Standard benefits for one student. Valid student ID required.

Individual $55 (tax-deductible) Standard benefits for one adult.

Dual $80 (tax-deductible) Standard benefits for two adults living in the same household, no children.

Household $95 (tax-deductible) Standard benefits for two adults and all children ages 6 - 17 in the same household.

Military

$15 Discount on Individual, Dual or Household. For active, reserve or retired military with valid military ID.

© 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

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

Partners in Preservation

NewportMansions .org 401.847.1000

#NewportMansions

Available to Preservation Society members & ticket holders

Coffee, pastries, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks and hot and cold beverages available daily.

Indoor & Outdoor Seating Available

Stop By For A SnackGarden Café at The Breakers

Chinese Teahouse at Marble House

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