Winding natural harbours frame a rolling landscape copiously clothed in clouds of trees in every shade of green. Summers in this part of the world are sunny and warm but with welcome breezes coming in from the sea and the food reflects both the richness of the oceans as well as the good pasture land for cattle. Little wonder, therefore, that travellers from the old European lands chose to settle in Newport as early as 1639.
Shopping on Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island
It is really a series of linked islands which offered shelter for ships as well as people and it became a successful and thriving port. Like every town, over the centuries the population of Newport had some challenging times before it remerged in the late 19th century with new energy and colour when some of the wealthiest families in the USA decided to build their summer houses there. Rather ironically, they were called cottages, each one more exuberant and grander than the previous, following the lines of the cliff path and looking out to sea over immaculate green lawns.
From the Vanderbilts to the Astors and Morgans, they created mansions with huge marble entrance halls and decorated them with works of art from Grand Tours or from the classical world. Their heyday, spanning some 50 years, came to be known as The Gilded Age, a phrase devised by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in their 1873 book, “The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today”.
Fabulous (Seasons at Highclere)book signing team!
Not entirely flattering to these powerhouses of industry and banking, it satirised their social pretensions, comparing this new social elite which focussed entirely on material objects and wealth to a true golden age of art and intellect.
Needless to say it was a somewhat one sided view. The houses, the collections and the works of art seen in these Newport houses represent dreams and vision as well as wealth. They were extraordinary endeavours and the mansions today are an important part of a visible heritage, not just of architecture but of the stories of these families: the legends, perseverance, triumphs and heartbreak. Money never did ensure happiness and these amazing houses were the backdrop against which both successes and dramas were played out.
Wednesday Press Conference
Last week, I was honoured to be invited by the Newport Preservation Society to speak at a number of events in order to help them raise money to sustain these great houses. Many of the houses were lost post WW2, but a number of determined women have helped save what is now left.
Preservation Meeting
Eleven of these are open for visitors to tour, to use as concert venues or for events and some can be hired for dinners and receptions. What is remarkable for any visitor today is that you can walk between most of them and, whilst the most famous is perhaps the Breakers, there are other ones representing different styles of American architecture.
From lunches to meetings, press conferences, filming, talks and presentations, it was a busy and fascinating schedule. I met some wonderful people and was made to feel extremely welcome for which I am grateful. The main evening event was held in Rosecliff, a classical “cottage” commissioned by a Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899.
The Highclere Castle Gin Cocktail Party at Rosecliff
Highclere Castle Gin sponsored the cocktails on the terrace which were a magical part of the evening as of course this was used as the film location for “The Great Gatsby” movie starring Robert Redford. It is a great book and film in which love is mistakenly and tragically woven into the pursuit of wealth and status at any cost. One of the more famous lines and themes is “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” and it is a sad emotional tale where none of them “learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
Isaac Bell House
Now, the Newport Mansions are once again in the spotlight thanks to Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes. His new TV series “The Gilded Age” uses some of their interiors and some the exteriors act as themselves. The Society very much hopes that sharing the interiors will pique more public interest in these amazing buildings which I am sure it will.
For further information explore the Newport Preservation Society online.
Instagram
Everyone here at the Preservation Society of Newport County and in Newport itself thought that Lady Carnarvon’s presentations were fantastic. She has done a wonderful job caring for Highclere Castle and her lessons are useful for preserving special places here in Rhode Island, including the Newport Mansions.
Thank you for giving us two days of your time, energy, wisdom and creativity.
Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director, Preservation Society of Newport County aka Newport Mansions
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON AND MONDAY FAMILY,
GOOD MORNING FROM BRAZIL,
TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY, I AM VERY ,VERY ,VERY, HAPPY MILADY, AND MY CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU, FOR YOUR DEDICATION IN RHODE ISLAND, THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW PORT, IN USA.LOVELY HISTORIC HOUSES .STUNNING, AMAZING. THANK VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS PLACE ,FOR ALL THIS PERSONS. .
VILLA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO – SP
BRAZIL
P.S.DOWNTON ABBEY NEW ERA , IS THE BEST MOVIE, THAT MADE ME LAUGH AND CRY A LOT,AT THE DEATH OF THE COUNTESS, REALLY MR. JULIAN FELLOWES IS A TALENTD WRITER, CONGRATULATIONS .CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ACTORS TOO , THEY GAVE A SHOW OF INTERPRETATION , THEY ALL DESERVE FROM MR FELLOWES TO THE EXTRAS, SHOW OF INTERPRETATION,
HOLLYWOOD “OSCAR” NEEDS PAY ATTENTION ON THIS MOVIE.
Lady Carnarvon, it was wonderful to see you last week in Newport. My friend Cyndy had the chance to finally meet you (briefly)and we all enjoyed your preservation talks both at the luncheon as well as at the cocktail reception at Rosecliff. Having recently joined the Friends of Highclere, I look forward to following the events at Highclere throughout the next year including trying my hand at some of the recipes in your lovely book Seasons at Highclere. Thank you so much for visiting us on “this side of the pond”.
Thank you!I think Friends of Highclere will prove interesting and fun- this week we are going to do some 3D filming in the dining rom of Luis setting the table so you can put the oculus glasses on and join us. Each video takes about 10 days to process os it is quite something..
I’m so happy you were invited and welcomed to our shores. I’m sorry I wasn’t available to attend the event.
I feel you played an important part in preserving this history as our histories are forever linked. I hope the fundraiser was a success.
Thank you for coming. You are most gracious.
You are very kind and I am now back!
Thank you for this post! Enjoy the USA while you’re here!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a lovely and warm summary of a wonderful week in Newport. I was so taken by the warmth and hospitality of the people there. Another great adventure and great memories. You captured the essence of this special place and the importance of preserving historical houses.
Thank you for being such a trooper.
Patsy
Thank you so much
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of Newport did you and lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend lam fan of Downton Abbey and lovely to visit highcelere castle and thank you for the email you send
Many years ago, we were lucky enough to go through several of these “cottages.” It amazed me to hear how much money was spent on a place that was only lived in for a short time every year, but they were all beautiful. Thank you for bringing back those memories.
Hello Lady Carnarvon.
Nice article. Any plans at Highclere for Canada Day?
regards
Not this year – another one perhaps …
Lady Carnarvon,
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your book signing in lovely Newport. It is our favorite vacation spot! I smiled when I saw your pictures of the grand cottages and their grandiose architecture – memories of previous tours. So good of you to help a worthy cause – to keep these beautiful places ‘alive and well!’
Martha G
It was a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for visiting our “city by the sea” and helping the Preservation Society in its mission to preserve and protect.
Thank you so much Barbara
Greetings Lady Carnarvon,
So glad your trip to Newport, RI took place and the weather was lovely! Given the challenging times of traveling these days so glad your schedule was kept as planned. So sad my schedule didn’t allow me to attend as I am a fan of Newport and of yours (and Highclere Gin too!) of course. The historic connections from a former resident on Newport and a future one of Highclere is wonderful! Hope you were able to see all the historic homes still there including the Kennedy’s and the church where John F. married Jackie and sites where movies were filmed even one starring Grace Kelly. Also hope you enjoyed yummy New England Lobster Rolls there as well! Also love seeing all the videos made prior to your trip. Thank you again for sharing your experience. Hope re-entry back to Highclere is going well.
Remain well.
I very much enjoyed the lobster – yes! Love Seafood …
The first few lines of your first paragraph made me do a ‘double take.’ I live in Monmouthshire, South Wales, and thought you were writing about the rather run down town 25 miles from here ! Phew ! And would that our Newport could be improved to look a little like Newport, USA ! But thanks to your article, I can imagine what Martha Levinsons holiday ‘cottage’ was like !!!
I actually began a lunchtime talk with your Newport and the audience did a double take!
I love the mansions and wish I had known you were going to be there, I’m on cape cod and Newport is a lot closer then the UK is lately. Thank you for highlighting these wonderful cottages.
Another time perhaps?
These Powerhouses are nothing like Highclere. I’ll take Highclere over these houses any day of the week. Thank you for another great blog. Welcome to the USA.
fondly Jenny
Thank you but they are still rather amazing!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
One of my favorite trips is Newport. The mansions are so magnificent and you feel like you walked back in time and can feel the people moving around. I’m glad you are enjoying our culture.
Yours Sincerely,
Linda Kaempf
We all share so much – many common threads which are essential to rememeber in an unbalanced world
So lovely to meet you at Rosecliff on Thursday as well as the Highclere Gin event on Friday! Newport is such a special place to visit. Looking forward to the future endeavor you mentioned at your storytelling Thursday night!
Thank you so much – it was a special few days!
Ahh, Newport Rhode Island. Home to a few ‘weekender’ cottages and the fabled (& some might say, ‘notorious’) New York Yacht Club (“NYYC”).
This is where sailing history (and the above same few may say, infamy, bordering on ‘piracy’)occurred during all of sport’s unsurpassed winning streak of 132 years from 1851 to 1983.
That streak stemmed from when the ‘yacht’, the schooner, “America” first won what was then called the ‘Auld Mug’ in a race around the Isle of Wight, England.
The NYYC were gifted the Cup in 1857 and it’s first defence of the trophy (by then known as the “America’s Cup”)took place in 1870. Through 24 campaigns the NYYC successfully defended the Cup against all-comers until1983, when the Cup was eventually won by the famous winged keel yacht, Australia II.
Despite the intrigue, secret meetings and home-town rules, it was a race that really caught the imagination of those countries that regularly challenged for it. (On the day/early morning in Australia when the Australia II crew finally won the 7th and final race in 1982, the then Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, expressed the famous words that “any boss who sacks an employee today is a bum”.)
Although Australia strived for so many decades for this success and despite the crew & Australia II itself touring the country, Australian interest in the Cup eventually wore off.
New Zealand are now the masters of the race, which no longer resembles “watching grass grow”, but rather is a fast speed(almost airborne) competition between high-tech catamarans; actually, I believe they are “AC-75 Class Yachts”. The America’s Cup has always been a sport for millionaires & later, billionaires. (The winner of the 2013 America’s Cup apparently invested $300 million for the privilege.)
Despite the intensity and speed of the current competition, one does miss the grand old days of the NYYC and its famous trophy room where the Cup was bolted to the Club’s floor for so many years.
Thank you for rekindling such fond memories.
Regards,
Jeffery Sewell
dear lady carnarvon. so glad you enjoyed Newport. I toured the breakers the marble house and the elms yrs back in my teens, also at this time of year. truly lovely homes. hope to go back someday. glad you visited the USA.
Another well-written article. I am so much enjoying The Gilded Age on television. It really was a fascinating time and ties together nicely as a segue to Highclere/Downton Abbey since Cora came from family/money tied to Newport.
Would have been fun to attend one of your talks while in the states! I need to start paying more attention to your speaking schedule, it would be a pleasure hearing you share your wisdom regarding these homes. I love how you mentioned that money doesn’t ensure happiness. So true! Money will not fill your heart with what it truly needs. Again, thanks for taking the time to share your pictures with us. Always enjoy it!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A most beautiful narrative on an interesting piece of Rhode Island history. My mother, the daughter of Swedish immigrants, grew up in RI, and many of the women in the Swedish and Scandinavian community worked in the Newport cottages, often as laundresses. My mother remembered a few stories of how quiet everyone had to be, and there are many layers to the people who looked after the tycoons and their families. I have visited several of the mansions, and much like Highclere Castle, they are treasures containing treasures. I’m sure your visit will bring additional support and awareness to these grand places!
Thank you for another wonderful Monday read. Safe travels home!
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Hello Lady Carnarvon!
Thank you for sharing this, and the lovely pictures of your trip to Newport. My favorite movie, High Society, was filmed in and around Clarendon Court. This was the “cottage” owned by the von Bulow family . It’s a beautiful area of the country. I hope you had a wonderful trip and enjoyed your time there.
I love High Society too!
Hello,
What a wonderful place to spotlight both your book and your gin.
One thing that truly amazes me about these “cottages” is that they were only ever used for a few weeks in summer, and stood vacant the rest of the year.
I toured some of them in 1985. Spectacular houses in a gorgeous seaside setting.
Linda Jones
Antioch, California
Different world but now they are admired throughout the year…
I heard stories from my uncle ( he’d be about 110 now). Of being part of groundskeepers at homes in Newport. I hope you had a nice time .
I need to go back!!!! I did not see enough
Thank you for reaching your hand across the water. We are sisters and all the mutual support is appreciated.
Dear Lady Canarvon,
I could not think of a better Ambassador to speak up for the presentation of these great Houses . It is after all a part of our History as well .
I visited Newport the year after I visited Highclere. Such a privilege to see all these magnificent residences.
Visited Newport several times. Always enjoyed visiting the houses. During one tour, I was told that “the lady of the manor would not see me today as I was wearing trousers.” Many fun weekends were spent by my husband and I there.
Glad you visited Newport, such a beautiful city. We have attended a few music festivals in Newport and the concerts take place in the mansions. The view while driving thru Ocean drive is such an amazing experience! Let us know when you visit Washington DC.
“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He didn’t know that it was already behind him. Gatsby believed in the green light, the future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter, tomorrow we will run faster…”(The Great Gatsby. F.S.Fitzgerald ). So we hope that a new golden era will come for everyone full of happiness, health and good economic situation! Thank you so much and have a good journey!!!
Thank you I am now back…a little time muddled
Newport is a lovely area and I’m sad to now realize you were there, so close to me! I live less than 3 hours away and one perfectly fine sunny day my husband asked if I wanted to take a drive to see the Newport Mansions. I braved his frightening aggressive driving (a hallmark of New Englanders) and we rode up and down the street that the mansion line. Most are walled in with stone and shrubbery so that you only get tantalizing glimpses. At the end, he looked at me and said “You didn’t want to go in any, did you?” I was speechless, since that is what I thought we were there to do. We did end up touring the Breakers that day and what a glorious home.
I have since visited the exterior of Rosecliff to attend the Newport Wine and Food festival- an event not to be missed! I haven’t seen the new movie yet- that is part of my plans for this holiday weekend and I’ll be looking closer at the settings.
It is worth several visits and I just enjoyed sitting by the boats..
Lady Carnarvon, you must have had a wonderful time in Newport. What an experience for you but also for all those who attended the functions as I can only imagine the guests were very lucky to hear you speak and meet you. A good time for all. With Kind Regards, Cheryl.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for taking some of your precious time to help us with our preservation efforts. I wish I had known about this event as I have visited several of those cottages. Buildings such as these are 3 dimensional pieces of art which are worth saving. Thank you.
They are worth preserving – they tell a story
I have lived in the town next to Newport on this island most of my life and it is a truly a unique place as you so well describe.
It is amazing and I like to walk and be outside so it is my kind of town!
So lovely to hear you have visited Newport; a place I have visited, toured and weekended many, many times. A favorite place and always find something new to see each time. Enjoy your time in this special place. Safe travels home.
Thank you
All of us here at the Preservation Society of Newport County praise Lady Carnarvon for the incredible work she has done for Highclere Castle and the land surrounding it. Her visit to the Newport Mansions got rave reviews from many here in New England; all of us appreciate the time she took to share her preservation story with us. Lots to learn from her.
We thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for giving us your time, knowledge, and positivism over a packed two days. We hope that you will visit Newport again.
Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director, Preservation Society of Newport County aka Newport Mansions
You are so kind – thank you
Newport, in our experience, is a truly unique American city. How fortunate these hardworking ladies were to entice you to their shores (and with your delicious Highclere Castle Gin, no less). Perry and I were riveted to “The Gilded Age” and are holding our collective breath until Season 2. Thanks for another entertaining post.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am glad that you were able to visit Newport and help their preservation society with your presence and knowledge. Newport and it’s history is fascinating. I’ve enjoyed visiting there and touring these grand “cottages.”
I have thoroughly enjoyed Julian Fellows series The Gilded Age and am looking forward to its next season. He is a talented man and I’ve enjoyed all of his writings!
I hope you are able to get back to the states again soon.
I hope your travels were smooth,
Pam
Wonderful!! Your visit will increase the interest in “The golden Age” series and also the desire to visit these amazing mansions (cottages.)
Now to the important question from the US. Did I miss this? Can we get the Gin here now?
Glad you had a nice time in R.I. During all of Covid we have hardly been able to go there from Massachusetts. My favorite is a trip to the Green Animals topiary garden when the roses are blooming and also to Blythwold Mansion which is not part of the Historic Newport mansions, but easy to get to. Next time!
Lady Carnarvon,
That sounds like a lovely event. I hope that one of our Pasadena organizations can tempt you out for a speaking engagement someday. All of Pasadena loved seeing PBS’s Highclere Castle replica float grace our Rose Parade back in 2016.
My husband Gregg and I are greatly looking forward to returning to Highclere on July18th with the Albion Journeys tour. I hope we will be so fortunate as to see you again while we are there.
I enjoy all your blogs and post and I appreciate you sharing with us. It’s always exciting when I see you have something new to show us.
How I loved your article this week Lady Carnarvon.
It brought back such memories of a wonderful fleeting visit to Newport in 2019 whilst on a Cruise to Canada and New England, all the way from Southampton, UK.
I loved Newport itself, and before visiting The Breakers ‘cottage,’ we went on a guided walk along the cliff top, where we were able to see the rear view and ‘back gardens’ of some of these wonderful mansions.
A truly memorable day.
There are some wonderful walks!
How exciting, and appropriate, that you visited Newport, one of my favorite cities in the US. Since, Highclere is across the pond and not easily available to me, when I want to fill my need to see gorgeouos houses, I head to Newport. I am re-watching Downton Abbey on TV and it is such fun to see the areas of the Castle – the saloon, the library, the stair case, the bedroooms, etc. – that I visited in May.
Lady Carnarvon,
What a beautiful cause to preserve and support of this glorious past. For these beautiful homes.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday’s blog and for sharing your time in Newport with your weekly readers. What a great way to pique a curiosity about these homes and their beautiful past. Also, I saw your postings to Instagram, but the audio did not function properly. Is there a recording available on Facebook?
At this moment, Detroit and Windsor are preparing to jointly celebrate Canada Day (July 1, 2022) and the Fourth of July (Independence Day – US) with concerts, fireworks, parades, and picnics.
Until next week, all the best to you.
Perpetua Crawford
P.S. Please ask someone in your IT department to investigate why these emails are coming into my Junk box. This is the third week in a row that this situation has occurred. Thank you.
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
It is so interesting to read about The Gilded Age! There is a mansion in North Carolina called The Biltmore estate and I guess it can be something like Highclere castle. The Vanderbilt family owns that beautiful place and I love to see picture from their fantastic Christmas celebration over there.
I must admit that I already Long for the Christmas celebration at Highclere! Really something to wait for! I just love to The The beautiful picture and I can not wait to read your Nice blog at that special time of The year when The time really is magical!
Please have a wonderful month of July!
Swedish greetings from Lena