Newport has a rich history beginning in the 1600’s when the first English settlers arrived on Aquidneck Island following a woman named Anne Hutchinson, who had been driven out of Boston for her religious beliefs. Anne and her supporters followed Roger Williams when he, too, was banished from Massachusetts for religious reasons. The group purchased Aquidneck Island (now Rhode Island) from the native Americans. Because the state was founded on religious tolerance, it welcomed many people from various religious backgrounds. In the mid 1600s, a group of Jews fleeing Spain and Portugal settled there and soon founded what became the second oldest Jewish congregation in the United States.
In the 1700s Newport became one of the five leading ports in North America, along with Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. With the economic boom came much development, including hundreds of houses and internationally important landmarks that still exist today, such as Trinity Church, the Colony House, the Redwood Library, and the Brick Market (now home to the Museum of Newport History). One of the things I love about this town is that the rich history is so evident in the architecture and most of it has been preserved and is still in use.
The Gilded Age and it’s mansion, ofcourse, are what most people associate with Newport today. During the mid 19th century it became a hub of activity once again with new settlement and activity. Wealthy businessmen from north and south discovered the prosperous port and built their massive “cottages”on the shores, creating a summer haven for the wealthy. The Vanderbilts and the Astors are among those families.
It’s an easy day trip for us and we visit a few times a year. I’m amazed again and again at the magnitude of the lifestyle these families led… oppulent is putting it mildly. A tour of the mansions is like looking into another world entirely, and in all honesty I would never choose to live so “above the frey”. Besides the beautiful architecture and works of art, in such large and extravagent quarters there is also a sense of loneliness, separated from the real world and a formal lifestyle that would be very constricting. But that’s just me.
There are many books on the subject, and scandal as well. After touring Doris Duke’s mansion located at the end of Bellevue Avenue (home to most of the Mansions and if ever there were a street truly paved in Gold, this is it) I wanted to know more about her life. She was a modern day occupant of Newport until her death. The tour guide was vague and kind to Doris, but it was clear that there was much behind the facade. I found the book “Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke”, and there I found the answers. Great read for those of you who are interested.
We spent yesterday enjoying the other Newport….a busy town with a wide variety of good food, shops galore, a large boating community, art galleries, museums and great beaches. There is a vibrance to the young crowd…. if I were young and single, this is where I’de want to work. I know my husband would agree *ahem*
Wahoo!! Oh these pictures are absolutely stunning. How fun!
Love your pictures as usual. Newport is such fun to visit and pretend you're living in the gilded age for a bit of time.
The tour guide at Rosecliff (my fav mansion) told us that Robert Redford stayed there on the 3rd floor while making "The Great Gatsby" and would sometimes slip quietly into one of the tour groups. I wonder how long it took for people to realize it was him 🙂
Awesome… love every bit of this. Hubby and I have ALWAYS longed to visit. Love the history, the mansions, the wealth, the scandal and intrigue… all of it. The shore would probably be my favorite too, but I need you as a tour guide as you obviously know all the best spots 🙂
So interesting! I am enjoying your words and your pictures! What a grand adventure to tour the mansions, the town and the beaches! I would have had to bring home some 'real estate' too..
I was stationer on a ship out of New Port. Some of these pictures bring back memories. But the ones of the mansions, are the part of town not many sailors hung out in. Thanks for the History lesson as well. I never knew.
Good to know that there still is affordable water front property for sale or for free… we enjoyed a trip there this spring with the kids. We never leave a beach without a rock or two, either!
I saw HBO Films' "Bernard and Doris" a couple of years back. The lifestyle looked awesome, but you hit it on the head – very lonely.
Such a lovely place on earth you guys live in.
REALLY???? You guys bought Oceanfront property??? How cool is that?? I'd love to visit that place! It is beautiful there!!! Love all these pics and your explanations!! Congratulations!!
Rolling on the floor!..no… just the rocks in the last picture. They're in my garden now.
Ahhhhh – such memories of days gone by. I love Newport and vacationed there for YEARS until kids. My plan is to return to my vacation "home" on Bannister's Wharf very soon. I can NOT live with out my Cherry Cream Cheese Croissants much longer! When are WE going back?????
My favorite part of the mansions are the basement kitchens! Marble pastry tables, copper vats for entertaining…..*sigh*
Looks like a wonderful time! 🙂
Great photos! Thanks for sharing – I love the history part of places, too!
-Trish
I love Newport, Great photos!! What a place. Did you happen to see Hamersmith Farm? Jackie Kennedy's home? We loved that place. Enjoyed your post very much.
Karen dear!!!
WOW…the place looks fabulous here…house seems to be mostly done…spied the threesome photo grouping at the sidebar. Lovely!
I too just LOVE where you live. So much neat history.
Thanks for the pictorial of places w memories of the "magnitude of lifestyle", you get to visit often. My husband and I would too.
I did laugh it up with the "sugar sand" comment…yea…we do have those kinds of beaches.
The photo, capturing the Seagull flying through…neat! And We too have many prominent "pieces of properties"…in our yard!
You'll have to show us where you have placed your Pieces!
XO
KK
P.S.
Love your "Black Eyed Susan's"! I miss mine…they were around our telephone poll and would reach up to a height of around 6 ft tall. Someone hit our poll…and it had to be replaced…the digging and poll juice..killed them all!
Are these in your yard? Maybe I could get some seeds from you? Wouldn't that be cool East Coast/ West Coast plants sharing!
KK
Beautiful photos of Rhode Island Karen~ I agree with you about the feeling of emptiness when you walk through the homes. I haven't been there in years, but I remember the feeling. On the other hand, your house is outstanding!! The warmth that you have created, makes it seem as though you have lived there for years. One lucky house that found new owners with so much taste…..
I so enjoyed your trip!!! Susan 🙂
I just love Rhode Island! How lucky you ti be in New England and able to make this wonderful trip. Next time, I wanna come along.
I will bring Cadence along to play with Opie 🙂
Thanks for the getaway! xo, misha
Stopping by to say thanks for your sweet comment at my blog Picturing the Year:)…It is always fun to see how the internet is truly a web that leads from one site to another…
We were visiting Jamestown…Newport's neighbor on Sunday too…I have lots of similar coastline pics to yours:)…Now I am off to check out the rest of your blog…I love it! Reading it will be difficult though as I will be entirely jealous of your house and talent:)
Our Queen would be proud to live in 'The Breakers'. I was thinking we live in quite an upmarket village, but you Americans always do things 'bigger', haha. Love the photos of the restaurant, harbour, beach… everything actually 😉