Last week we were fortunate to experience palatial living at the Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island. If you can’t get out of the country due to the virus, Newport is a great place to visit… and the mansions feel like you are in Europe.
According to the Newport Preservation Society: Built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, The Breakers (1893-1895), is the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages” and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence in turn-of-the-century America.
You can buy tickets online and there is a great audio tour that you can download to listen to on your phone. This is just a sampling of what you will see so I encourage you to see it for yourself (or go again if you have already been)!
The Breakers Exterior
This is the driveway up to the “cottage.”
The Grand Hall
Look at the detail. In spite of the grandeur, it’s said that the children in the family rode their tricycles through here and slid on trays down the staircase.
The Music Room
Many of the Vanderbilt family played instruments and they held music nights.
The Library
Girls Bedrooms Upstairs
There are, of course, lots more bedrooms.
Second Story Loggia
Here you can see the ocean and where the waves break on the rocks….hence the name “The Breakers.”
The Kitchen
They must be using a lot of Bar Keepers Friend here!
Notice the tiled wall…
Garden View
I took the shot below on the ocean side. You can take the Cliff Walk during the day to see lots of the Newport Mansions.
How is that for Palatial Living At The Breakers?!
We also visited Marble House and here are a few shots…
Marble House Exterior
This is taken from the ocean side.
The Gothic Room
Alva Vanderbilt’s Bedroom
A friend on Instagram recommended reading “A Well Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler“. It’s a fictional story based on the life of Alva Vanderbilt, who built the Marble House. It gives you a peek into the Gilded Age. I loved it especially after see these homes.
This is an interesting recent article, “Is New Money Changing High Society’s favorite Summer Destination Forever?”
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I’ve always loved seeing these grand “cottages”. I can remember as a teen watching that tv show, can’t remember the name, where they showcased these beautiful houses and destinations. Thank you for taking us along!
Well my monitor says 1:23am Sept 20th but the comment I just posted says it is 10:23 Sept 19th. Must be YOUR time stamp – East coast time it is definitely the 20th. Funny I never realized that till just now. Normally wouldn’t have mentioned it but I clearly mentioned it being the 20th so I thought I’d clarify, haha. Have a great week.
Many years ago for our anniversary my hubs and I took a cruise up the East coast and we blessed enough to be able to take a special tour of this beautiful home. We actually danced in the ballroom!!! During a fun day tour they had costumed docents teaching us period dancing in the gorgeous ballroom. Talk about a VERY special way to celebrate our anniversary!
Funny I am leaving you this comment on my exact anniversary, Sept. 20th. Talk about serendipity! I will show him this post. Thank you for helping me remember that special day. This year we’re staying safe and doing no traveling whatsoever. Hopefully next year things will be better. I can’t complain, we are still going strong. 🙂
Mary Ann, beautiful post. The girls’ room almost looks normal. I enjoyed Maxwell’s books too. They actaully along witrh Paula at https://www.virginiasweetpea.com post of her visit to Newport is why I added Newport to my travel list. And now this! It’s excactly the post to stsrt making plans for next spring!
Thanks, Linda!
If you enjoy mystery books, Alyssa Maxwell’s are set in this time period and location.
Thanks, Sonya!!
You might read the book, Social Graces, of the rivalry between the Vanderbilt’s and the Astor’s. Good book. Love the pictures!
Great idea! I will add it to my book list! Thanks.
If any readers here are interested in more background on the gilded age and the Vanderbilts, I can enthusiastically recommend The History Chicks podcasts.
Thanks, Stacey. I will check it out.