The city of Newport is know for its gilded age mansions. It is difficult to come up with the exact number, but we counted over 11 of them in this area. Because we had visited 2 other Vanderbilt mansions in our travels, while here we decided that we would visit 2 of the Vanderbilt mansions here in Newport. As you look at these (excessive riches) pictures, keep in mind these were cottages that they normally only visited 6 weeks out of the year. Marble house, one of the most expensive homes, was was said to be not their second home but rather their 5th or 6th home. We chose to visit Marble House and the Breakers while here, both Vanderbilt homes.
Marble House, a 50 room mansion, completed in 1892, was the summer cottage of Alva and William Vanderbilt. The house cost 11 million at that time of which 7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. The house had 36 servants.
An interesting note, when the marble for the second floor was destroyed prior to shipment, Alva insisted they keep to schedule and the whole second floor is done in a faux marble.
Three years after completion, the two were divorced (so unheard of for the day), but Alva owned the house outright, having received it as her 39th birthday present. Alva would soon remarry, however, then only use this beautiful house as basically a storage room. Later she would use it to hold Woman's Suffrage meetings. The house was permanently closed in 1919 when she moved to France to be near her daughter Consuelo.
The second Vanderbilt mansion that we visited was the Breakers. The Breakers is the 70 room summer estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice. This home was completed in 1895 for 7 Million dollars. It is a 70 room mansion, with over 125,000 sq feet. While 'some' rooms we did not find to be as elaborate as in Marble House, the home was spacious, and in many ways just as grand. I believe we heard that Cornelius only spent one season here, due to health issues. So much money and so little enjoyment. I told Bob as we left, if all this 'cottage' money was put towards fighting cancer, cancer would be gone by now.
These are beautiful homes to visit, and should we return we may visit more of them. The gilded age came to an end due mainly to taxes it seems. Of further note these people, though rich, lived with considerable stress. They built barred rooms in their cottages and locked up their silver every night and also toted their silver to their regular homes to protect. They were so concerned with losing their 'riches'.
There are so many more interesting facets to explore in these mansions. But we have been on a somewhat long journey, so for tonight, I will post pictures to share in hopes that our readers enjoy.
     Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI  Marble House, RI   The Breakers, RI  The Breakers, RI  The Breakers, RI  The Breakers, RI  The Breakers, RI   the Cherubs are holding The Breakers, RI   The Breakers, RI  but it did not tarnish. It is Platinum The Breakers, RI   He only spent one season here as he had a stroke shortly after the house was completed. The Breakers, RI  Each bathroom had hot and cold water for both fresh and saltwater. Because Marble is so cold, the tub had to be filled numerous times before bathing for the water to stay warm.  The Breakers, RI   She first slept here when she was 19. The Breakers, RI |
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