We visited Rosecliff and The Breakers, two of the most notable 'Gilded Age' estates in Newport.
Rosecliff
Rosecliff
Rosecliff was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899.
Rosecliff was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899.
Architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles.
Architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles.
The house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million.
The house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million.
Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous parties at Rosecliff. This ballroom was the center of activities at these parties.
Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous parties at Rosecliff. This ballroom was the center of activities at these parties.
Theresa Fair met steamship magnate Hermann Oelrich in Newport and they were married in 1890.
Theresa Fair met steamship magnate Hermann Oelrich in Newport and they were married in 1890.
Scenes from several films have been shot on location at Rosecliff, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies, Amistad, and 27 Dresses.
Scenes from several films have been shot on location at Rosecliff, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies, Amistad, and 27 Dresses.
During our visit to Rosecliff, preparations were underway for a special event.
During our visit to Rosecliff, preparations were underway for a special event.
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad.
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad.
The Commodore's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, became the Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system in 1885, and purchased a wooden house called The Breakers in Newport during that same year.
The Commodore's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, became the Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system in 1885, and purchased a wooden house called The Breakers in Newport during that same year.
In 1893, Cornelius Vanderbilt II commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the earlier wood-framed house.
In 1893, Cornelius Vanderbilt II commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the earlier wood-framed house.
A portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II
A portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Portrait of Gladys Vanderbilt, youngest daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Gladys inherited the house on her mother's death in 1934.
Portrait of Gladys Vanderbilt, youngest daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Gladys inherited the house on her mother's death in 1934.
Portrait of Count Laszlo Szechenyi of Hungary, who married Gladys in 1908.
Portrait of Count Laszlo Szechenyi of Hungary, who married Gladys in 1908.
