The Newport Mansions were created and owned by the Vanderbilt family. Cornelius Vanderbilt II, William K. Vanderbilt, and Frederick W. Vanderbilt were the primary members of this wealthy family who built extravagant summer homes in Newport Rhode Island during the late 1800s to early 1900s. These mansions became known as “summer cottages” due to their grand scale and luxurious amenities.
The Vanderbilts were an incredibly powerful dynasty that had made a fortune in shipping, finance, railroads, and industrialization; allowing them to afford these lavish properties along with other holdings such as several private yachts and even an entire island off of South Carolina’s coast called Fisher’s Island. After years of decline due to economic hardships after World War I many of these mansions ended up falling into disrepair until they were eventually restored by preservationists in the mid-twentieth century when they began accepting visitors for tours through their grounds – today most are now open for public viewing year round!
At the turn of the 20th century, Newport Mansions were owned by some of America’s wealthiest families. Many of these families had made their fortunes in banking and industry such as the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Belmonts. In addition to these prominent families who built their mansions in Newport there were also lesser-known figures such as William Sloane, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, and George Dupont Pratt.
These individuals used their wealth to acquire a presence on Bellevue Avenue which became known at the time as “Millionaire’s Row”. Today many of these historic mansions are open to visitors so they can experience a glimpse into this opulent era.
The Newport Mansions: as seen on the HBO drama ‘The Gilded Age’
Who Owns the Breakers Mansion
The Breakers Mansion is a Gilded Age mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island that was built in 1895 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It is owned and operated by The Preservation Society of Newport County, which works to preserve the estate and promote understanding of its history. Visitors can tour the 70-room home and explore its lush grounds while learning about the Vanderbilt family’s legacy.
Did the Rockefellers Have a House in Newport?
Yes, the Rockefellers did have a house in Newport. It was located at The Breakers, an impressive 70-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion that was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II between 1893 and 1895. The Breakers served as a summer home for the family and featured many opulent furnishings including ornate tapestries, paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows and rare books.
In addition to its grandeur, it also had lavish outdoor gardens with fountains and statues. The property became known as “The Great Gatsby of Newport” due to its glamourous lifestyle during the Jazz Age of the 1920s when wealthy socialites would come from all over to party at this luxurious estate. Today The Breakers is owned by Preservation Society of Newport County which offers tours for visitors looking to explore one of America’s most iconic homes!
Who Owned the Rosecliff Mansion?
The Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island is an iconic architectural masterpiece that has been made famous by its appearances in movies and TV shows. Built between 1899 and 1902, the mansion was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs as a summer home for her family. Designed by renowned architect Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White, the house embodies the extravagance of Newport’s Gilded Age lifestyle with its grand ballroom, marble fireplace mantels, hand-painted ceilings and ornate furnishings.
After Theresa’s death in 1926, ownership of the estate passed to her daughter Anita who then sold it to banker Herbert N. Straus in 1932. Straus lived at Rosecliff until his own passing ten years later when it became part of his wife Ella’s estate until 1957 when she deeded it over to their son Jesse L. Straus Jr.. In 1967 after Jesse died without any heirs or will instructing what should be done with Rosecliff – a group of concerned citizens banded together to purchase it from him before developers could get their hands on it – thus securing its place as one of America’s most beloved historic mansions open today for public tours and private events alike!
What Family Owned the Breakers Mansion in Newport?
The Breakers is a grand mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island that served as the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family. The Vanderbilts were one of America’s wealthiest families due to their successful business ventures in shipping, railroads, and other industries. Constructed between 1893 and 1895 by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the Breakers is a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palace that features lavish interiors with intricate details such as marble fireplaces, gilded ceilings, Austrian crystal chandeliers, ornate frescoes on walls and ceilings.
It also has lush gardens surrounding it which further enhance its beauty. The Vanderbilts used this magnificent estate to host sumptuous parties during their summers spent there from 1892 until World War I when the family decided to move away from Newport altogether. Today it stands as a museum under the stewardship of Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC).
Through guided tours visitors can learn about the history behind this opulent estate like how Vanderbilt made sure no expense was spared while constructing it or some interesting anecdotes associated with its occupants through generations as they lived here till 1942 before donating it to PSNC in 1972 so that people could experience its magnificence even after all these years.
Who Did Jay Leno Buy His Newport Mansion From?
Jay Leno, the famous American comedian and former late-night talk show host, purchased his Newport mansion from a prominent Rhode Island family in 2007. The historic 14-room estate was originally built in 1906 by renowned architect Dudley Newton for August Belmont Jr., who had made his fortune on Wall Street. After Belmont’s death, the property passed to his wife Eleanor Ritchie before it was eventually sold to Leno.
He paid an estimated $13 million for the sprawling seaside estate that is situated along Newport’s Ocean Drive and includes two guesthouses, multiple gardens and stables as well as access to large portions of private beachfront on Narragansett Bay.
Conclusion
This blog post has highlighted the fascinating history of the Newport Mansions and their ownership. From William Vanderbilt’s initial purchase in 1885, to his descendants maintaining the properties for over a century, these spectacular homes have been well-tended throughout their long histories. While it is impossible to pinpoint who can be considered “the owner” of the mansions, it is clear that they were extremely important parts of many families’ legacies and will continue to provide insight into America’s Gilded Age for years to come.
