Tucked away in Newport, Rhode Island you’ll come across one of the most uniquely preserved collections in the country. Instead of visiting a room packed full of war memorabilia or ancient artifacts, you’ll find yourself faced with almost a dozen choices. They’re the magnificent mansions of Newport, each a historic home representative of a time long past.

Tours of each home display incredible architecture and astounding interior design. Even the gardens and parks surrounding each are a testament to top notch horticultural design. Pack your bags, book one of the incredible places to stay in Newport, and begin exploring.

The Breakers

Located at 44 Ochre Point Avenue, The Breakers is representative of the legacy left by the incredibly successful Vanderbilt family. Cornelius Vanderbilt II purchased the property in 1885 and quickly hired Richard Morris Hunt, a respected architect, to tear down the remains of a wood-frame house and replace it with a 70-room “cottage” inspired in style by the Italian Renaissance.

The house was opened to the public in 1948 in an attempt to help The Preservation Society of Newport County raise funds.

Marble House

Marble House can be found at 596 Bellevue Avenue and was built over a four-year period during the late 1800’s. Also part of the Vanderbilt legacy, the home was built by Mr. William K. Vanderbilt as a gift for his wife Alva on her 39^th birthday.

Also designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the home was modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles. William and Alva later divorced, and Alva waited until after William’s death to reopen the house, which had been built with over 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

Green Animals Topiary Garden

The Green Animals Topiary Garden is located at 380 Cory’s Lane in Portsmouth. While the summer residence and farm outbuildings are a sight to behold, visitors to the area tend to stop at this mansion to stroll through the incredible topiary gardens.

There are more than 80 distinct topiary creations, featuring 21 animal designs amongst a myriad of shapes and designs. Most of these designs were carefully sculpted from California Privet, English boxwood, and yew and proudly reside in what is known as the oldest topiary garden in the country.

Kingscote

Kingscote, found at 253 Bellevue Ave, was built in 1839 for a Southern planter known as George Noble Jones. He was quick to jump on the bandwagon when summer cottages became popular, and his architect created a picturesque home in Gothic Revival style unique to the area at the time. The Gothic arches, towers, and porch roofs were expanded upon in 1876 when David King took over the house and enlarged it, including cork tiles and glass bricks, amongst other features.

The Elms

The Elms is located at 367 Bellevue Avenue and was once the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind. Originally from Philadelphia and New York, Mr. Berwind hired a famous architect from Philadelphia, Horace Trumbauer, to design a home reminiscent of one that might be found in mid-18^th century Paris.

The interior design was completed by a Parisian firm and the home became the site of a collection of historic ceramics, paintings, and oriental artifacts. You’ll also enjoy a quick stroll through the romantic gardens after touring the inside of The Elms.

Rosecliff

Rosecliff, found at 548 Bellevue Avenue, was built for Theresa Fair Oelrichs, an incredibly wealthy silver heiress. The home, modeled after the garden retreats of some of Versailles’ kings, was completed in1902. It replaced the original home built by horticulturist George Bancroft and was the site of several lavish parties. It’s rumored that Harry Houdini once performed at one of Theresa’s affairs.

Chateau-sur-Mer

At 474 Bellevue Avenue, the Victorian-inspired Cheaeau-sur-Mer was the most famous home in the Newport area until the Vanderbilts began building their homes in the late 1800’s. It was later remodeled by George Peabody Wetmore and his wife, who converted the home to a Second Empire French style. Many of the most prominent architectural trends of the late 1800’s are featured throughout the estate.

Isaac Bell house

The Isaac Bell House is located at 70 Perry Street and is representative of only a handful of shingle style homes still surviving in the United States. Built in 1883, the home features both Old English and European architectural designs. The home continues to undergo extensive renovations, both inside and outside, but is still open for public tours.

Each of the mansions in Newport is rich with a history that one can only truly appreciate after visiting. Find a room in one of the famous Newport hotels within which to relax in the evenings, and spend your days appreciating the architectural magnificence that surrounds you. Tours of the area operate almost daily, but some of the homes are only open on a seasonal basis. Regardless of when you visit, you’re sure to find a number of incredible Newport mansions to explore.

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