Evan reminded me that it has been awhile since we toured a Newport Mansion and we still haven't made it to them all yet. With this visit to Rosecliff we have now seen 4 mansions: Rosecliff (obviously), The Elms (our Christmas trip in 2018 complete with decorations can be read here), The Breakers (a few times: here, & here for Christmas), and the Marble House (our first trip to the Newport Mansions in 2017 here).
We picked a rainy day last week to head to into Newport and there was hardly anyone at the mansion. This was one of the smallest we've toured and it took us just under an hour to go through the whole thing.
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| The salon |
Rosecliff is known for their ballroom... and yet the only photo I snapped inside the ballroom was of this giant more than 6 foot chandelier! We spent most of the time gawking at the ceiling and trying to pick out individual images and pictures from it.
The view from the ballroom out to the sea
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| The grand staircase |
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| From the first floor it resembles a heart |
We learned that women would shop for clothing twice a year; averaging what would cost in today's money about 1.2 million a year.
To be taken seriously as a hostess during the summer season of the Gilded Age one would need to have a minimum of 6 dinner parties with 60+ guests, and 2 balls with upwards of 600 during the 10 week summer season.
To be able to afford the various events hosted as well as maintain their household the summer season would run around 7 million in today's currency!
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| The rose garden still had a few blooms even this close to winter |
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| a close up of the front door detailing |
While exiting through the giftshop I came across this fun looking murder mystery series of books set during the Gilded age and at the Newport mansions. I just had to buy one and hope to read through them all!
Linking up with:
What an amazing building! And so close to the ocean!! Does a foundation own it now? Or the city?
ReplyDeleteAll the Newport mansions are run and owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
DeleteWow! That place looks incredible. I love touring mansions and thinking of what life used to be like.
ReplyDeleteThis was Amy from Coffee and Cocktails, btw!
DeleteOh me too; and I find that we learn something new at each house we visit.
DeleteThese mansions are something else!! I still have never been to Newport, need to remedy that!
ReplyDeleteYou really do; I bet you'd love it!
DeleteNow I have to add "tour a mansion" to my bucket list. I cannot imagine spending that much money on clothes and to host people. Crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd these were just their "summer cottages!"
DeleteI love doing tours like this! What a beautiful home and grounds!
ReplyDeleteThey really are stunning and I love that the tours are all self-guided now so you can really take your time.
DeleteLOVE the Newport mansions- my faves are this one and the Marble House :) So fun to tour these around the holidays!
ReplyDeleteIt really is; even if this house was not one of the ones they decorate.
DeleteMy kids want to go on a northeast road trip and I'm sure Newport would be on the list!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it is a wonderful seaside town.
DeleteI love Newport. So beautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
I do too!
DeleteGoing to Newport is on my list to visit! My interest was sparked by Alyssa Maxwell's mystery series. I have enjoyed each one of them. Thanks for shaing your visit.
ReplyDeleteI was so surprised I had not heard of that series before having toured so many of the mansions through the years.
DeleteSo gorgeous, how fun to see it in person. I love Newport. The stories that can be told. Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity. Merry Christmas.🎄
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting!
DeleteI loved visiting this mansion. I am excited The Gilded Age is back on tv!
ReplyDeleteYes! The ceiling at this house is actually featured in the opening credits of the show. I've started watching season 2; this tour was just what I needed to give me that nudge.
Delete...so this is how the millionaires lived years ago!
ReplyDeleteCrazy, isn't it?
DeleteSo fancy!
ReplyDeleteOH yes, very!
DeleteBreakers is the only one I've had the chance to see. Thanks for sharing your trip.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteWow, that's some amazing wardrobe you'd have to have for those parties. What a fun tour.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
Right?! I do remember hearing at one of the other house tours that they changed something crazy like 7 times a day.
DeleteWhat a stunning mansion! I had no idea the women of that era spent that kind of money. I knew fashion didn't change as rapidly, but it must have changed enough to warrant needing new clothes twice a year! And, that's just on clothing! I wonder what their yearly outgo was! Thanks for sharing these photos, Joanne!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
I wonder what they spent in a year too; it must be astronomical.
DeleteIt’s stunning. Love the heart.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was such a neat feature too.
DeleteWe did the Cliff Walk a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I have been wanting to go back and tour one of the homes. It's hard to imagine having one of those mansions and really only using it a few weeks of the year. Newport is such a lovely town. While there, I had a lobster panini that would be reason enough to visit!
ReplyDeleteWe love the cliff walk! That lobster panini sounds delicious.
DeleteOh wow, this place is incredible! That staircase is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe attention to detail was just incredible in all these mansions.
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