Newport is a city set on Aquidneck Island in the New England state of Rhode Island. It is known for the Gilded Age mansions lining Bellevue Avenue and the annual sailing regatta, America’s Cup, hosted in its yacht-filled harbour.
We did a scenic drive that took us along the world-famous Ocean Drive, where we had spectacular views of Newport’s rocky coastline. We continued on Bellevue Avenue, where for a moment, we got immersed in a world of wealth and power that existed at the dawn of the 20th century. Lined with mansions representing more than 250 years of social and architectural history, this street offers a glimpse of the era once known as “The Age of Beauty.” As Newport emerged as a leading seaport in the 19th century, wealthy sea captains and merchants built beautiful homes, many of which have been restored to their original splendour and have been turned into museums.
There were several options for mansion tours – the Breakers owned by the Vanderbilts, the Elms Mansion owned by the Berwinds, and the Rough Point Estate owned by the Dukes, among others. Obviously, our limited time wouldn’t allow us to visit all, or even some of them, so we had to make a choice. We opted for the Beechwood Mansion tour, which belonged to the Astor family.
Beechwood was built in 1851 for New York merchant Daniel Parrish, but was destroyed by fire in 1855. It was rebuilt in 1857 and in 1880, it was purchased by William Backhouse Astor, Jr., grandson of a fur trade and real estate magnate, who was married to Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, known as “The Mrs. Astor,” queen of American high society. Between 1888-1890, Mrs. Astor hired an architect to do many renovations, including the addition of a grand ballroom which became the showplace of her many lavish dinner parties, attended by those fortunate enough to be included in the elite list of “400” that she herself had created.
Over the years, it has changed hands within and outside the family, until it was purchased in 1981 by Paul M. Madden, a film and television professional, who partnered with the University of Rhode Island History and Drama Departments and established the Beechwood Theatre Company that conducted live theatrical tours in the mansion.
To this day, the mansion is considered Newport’s only living history museum. I think this was the reason why we chose to visit this mansion over the others.
As a tour participant, you will be taken back in time to 1891 and treated like a member of Mrs. Astor’s elite social circle of “400.” Costumed actors playing butlers, doormen, and maids, welcomed us and led us to the grand ballroom for a piano concert. Then, they graciously escorted us around the house like honoured guests.
The tour included two sides of the house: first, the family's side where the Astors lived, and second, the servants' side, which included kitchens and servants' quarters, as well as an area for the children to live. In those days, children of the family lived with the servants until the age of 17, when they were considered adults and fully prepared for social functions. Children of the family were quickly wed at the age of 18, or as soon as possible after reaching 18.
After the tour, I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to live the life of either a household servant or a rich woman of the house. I’d much rather live in the present and enjoy all the freedom that I have, even if I do not have a huge mansion (which can be quite a burden anyway).
We had time to admire the stunning ocean views from the vantage point of the mansion, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do the Newport Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile trail along some of the most beautiful coastlines in all of New England. Much of it goes through the property on which many of the Newport mansions are situated, including the Beechwood Mansion, where an entrance to the trail was just behind the back lawn. Oh well!
We were driven back to the harbour where we spent some time perusing the shops and taking photos amidst the line-up of boats and yachts.
Photo Credit:
Newport Discovery Guide
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