Historic Newport Features Mansions From the Gilded Age
Mark Twain first coined the phrase “the gilded age” in his 1873 satire of the same name. And although Twain’s novel took place in Tennessee, Newport, Rhode Island was the poster child for the conspicuous consumption and vulgar displays of wealth that so clearly defined this era. From 1865 to 1914 the rich and famous flocked to Aquidneck Island and built magnificent summer mansions along Newport’s Bellevue Avenue.
Interestingly enough, the gilded age ended when federal income tax became a permanent fixture of the American economy. Today, thanks to the efforts of the Newport Restoration Foundation, many of the grand old mansions of historic Newport have been restored to their former glory. And although access features weren’t included in the original plans, they were added to many of the mansions when they were restored. So now everybody can get a taste of the decadent opulence in historic Newport, that was commonplace in this era in American history.
Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley
The best place to begin your historic Newport visit is at the Gateway Visitor Center, which is located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. This site acts as the transportation hub for local buses and the excellent Viking Trolley Tour (vikingtoursnewport.com/newport-trolley-tours/daily-trolley-tours/). Accessible parking is available in the garage, with level access over to the bus station.
The one-and-a-half-hour Viking Scenic Overview Tour offers a good introduction to historic Newport. The tour travels through historic Washington Square and passes the oldest tavern in America, before it heads down Bellevue Avenue and concludes with a jaunt down the scenic Ten-Mile Drive. Along the way, the guides regale guests with interesting Newport tid-bits, outline the city’s history and even point out a few famous filming locations.
An accessible trolley with a wheelchair lift, tie-downs, and adjacent companion seating is available. Not all of the trolleys are accessible, but they offer at least once accessible tour each day. Best bet it to call (401) 847-6921 to find out which tours are accessible, so you can plan your day accordingly.
Doris Duke’s Legacy
Doris Duke’s Rough Point (www.newportrestoration.org/roughpoint/) tops the list of must-see mansions along Bellevue Avenue. As the founder of the Newport Restoration Foundation, Duke spearheaded the restoration of 80 mansions, so it’s only fitting to tour the place she once called home.
Built in 1887 as a quiet retreat for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt, Rough Point was acquired by Duke’s father in 1922. There’s accessible parking near the entrance and level access over to the front door. Inside, there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair, and there’s elevator access to the second floor.
To get the most of your visit, download the Newport Restoration Foundation App from the app store. It features an interactive map, with information about the different rooms, as well as some behind-the-scenes videos.
Don’t miss Doris Duke’s bedroom, as well as the gallery which features rotating exhibits about Duke. The mansion is filled with lavish collection of French furniture, European art, Chinese porcelains and Turkish carpets that Duke collected on her world travels. And in case you are wondering about the camel topiary on the lawn, it’s a tribute to Duke’s pet camels — Princess and Baby — who summered in Newport with her.
If you only have time for one mansion, this is the one to see, as it contains the largest collection of art and antiques. Unlike other Newport families, the Dukes never fell on hard times during the depression, so they didn’t have to sell off their treasures to support their ostentatious lifestyle.
The Vanderbilt Retreat
Known as the grandest of all the Newport mansions, The Breakers (newportmansions.org/explore/the-breakers) was named for the waves that break on the cliffs below the home. Built in 1893 for Cornelius Vanderbilt, this Italian Renaissance home boasts an impressive 70 rooms and 23 bathrooms.
Accessible parking is located in the unpaved lot across the street, with level access through the mansion gate. Although there are steps up to the front entrance, an accessible basement level entrance in located in the back of the property. Wheelchair-users are usually directed to that entrance by the employee at the front gate, but if you’re disability isn’t immediately obvious, be sure to ask for directions. From the basement, there’s elevator access up to the first floor.
An audio tour of this mansion is available on the Newport Mansions App, which is available in the app store. The audio tour takes visitors through the billiard room, morning room, music room, library and breakfast room, before it continues upstairs. There’s elevator access to the second floor, and although the elevator is a little off the main route, directions are given on the audio tour. The audio tour includes some great stories about the family and their time in Newport, and also features some interesting recollections from former servants. Inspired by the 16th Century Palaces of Genoa and Turin, The Breakers truly is the crown jewel of historic Newport.
Jay Gatsby Slept Here
Save some time for a stroll around Rosecliff (newportmansions.org/explore/rosecliff), the 1902 summer retreat of Nevada silver heiress, Theresa Fair Oelrichs — Tessie to her friends. It was also the filming location for one of the many Great Gatsby movies — the 1974 version that featured Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby.
Accessible parking is available in the nearby lot, and there’s level access to the front foyer. Although there are steps up to the main level of the house, there is also a stair lift in the foyer. The self-guided audio tour — which is also available on the Newport Mansions App — takes visitors through rooms on the first and second floors. And there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair in this stately manor, with elevator access to the second floor.
This French Renaissance house was modeled after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat at Versailles. It was built for the sole purpose of hosting the grandest party in the two month long summer season. And from the photographs and anecdotes throughout the house, Tessie succeeded at that in grand style. In fact the $2.5 million mansion was the site of a famous fairy tale gala which included a magical performance by Harry Houdini.
Sleep in Style
Since you’re touring the mansions of Newport, you’d may as well stay overnight in grand style too. And in that respect, the Hotel Viking (hotelviking.com) fills the bill perfectly. Built in 1926, the hotel opened with two grandiose parties — one for the public and one for the workers. Time took it’s toll on the property over the years though, and a $3 million renovation commenced in 1999. Four years later and additional $5 million was invested to return this grand old dame to her former glory.
Accessible parking is available in front, with ramp access up to the front door. And if you don’t want to self-park, there’s also valet parking available. There’s level access throughout the lobby, which is decorated with period pieces, including a clock that includes Nordic runes and a 1926 brass letter box.
There’s elevator access to accessible Room 1022, which is located one floor down at street level. The room features good pathway access, wide doorways and lowered clothing rods; and is furnished with a 26-inch high king-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. Other furnishings include a wing back chair, an armoire and a desk and chair.
The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated), and the bathroom also has a roll-under sink.
There’s good access to the public areas of the hotel, including the lift-equipped pool and hot tub. And don’t miss breakfast in the Garden Room at One Bellevue. There is level access to this sunny and private space, and it’s the perfect way to start your day in historic Newport.
