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The Newport Mansions at Christmas
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Scenes from the Gilded Age
A visit to Newport, Rhode Island is incomplete without seeing the Newport Mansions at Christmas. There are ten incredible estates that The Preservation Society of Newport County maintains year-round. Guests may explore independently or follow guided tours by a headset.
Of course, the mansions are a “must-see” at any time of year, and especially nice as part of a romantic getaway to Rhode Island.
Through the holiday season, though, four mansions are open daily to visitors: The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms, and Marble House. Each was once a private residence for the well-to-do, including famous families like the Vanderbilts, who retreated to the mansions’ grandeur along the cool shores of Rhode Island for summer months.
Their lifestyle was supported by behind-the-scene efforts of a large domestic staff catering to their every need. Tours showcasing little-seen servant areas (“Beneath the Breakers“) and servant stories (“Servant Life“) give fascinating detail. (Tip: These tours are on a limited basis, so I recommend getting tickets in advance.)
Holiday evenings at the mansions are alive with entertainment, complete with Christmas Carolers, Dinner Dances, Nutcracker Performances, and Bands of the era.
I’ve toured the mansions on several occasions (they are a little more than an hour from my hometown), but this was the first time I visited the Newport Mansions at Christmas time. Let me just say, I wasn’t disappointed. The mansions are beautifully decked out for the holidays through January 1st. (Photo Gallery follows.)
RELATED: If you’re headed to New England over the holidays, find out what to pack for a winter trip to New England. [Free Printable Checklist]
The Breakers
The Breakers was the Vanderbilt family’s summer “cottage,” located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is considered the grandest of the Newport mansions. The 70-room, 5-floor structure is now a museum managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
The 70-room, 5-floor structure is now a house museum managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Resplendent with marble, gilded walls, architectural craftsmanship and an impressive art collection, The Breakers itself occupies about 1-acre and is situated upon a 14-acre property with waterfront views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a throwback to a grand time, indeed — the magnificent Gilded Age!
The wrought iron gates welcoming guests to The Breakers are tastefully decorated with wreaths for the holiday season. The gates, weighing 5,000 pounds each, are works of art in themselves, topped by an ornate crown piece. They were recently restored to their original grandeur.
Four immense chandeliers adorn The Grand Hall of The Breakers mansion. They are suspended from soaring ceilings and flanked by layers of gilded crown molding. It’s easy to imagine the hundreds of elegant guests gathering here for one of the Vanderbilts’ large parties.
A bronze cherub is poised beside a soaring tree made of poinsettias in the Great Hall of The Breakers Newport mansion.
A vintage angel heralds the Christmas Season atop one of many festive fireplace mantels at The Breakers.
Vibrant holiday decorations surround the Campan marble fireplace of the gilded Music Room, once used for recitals and dances.
[bctt tweet=”Visiting the Newport Mansions is one of my favorite holiday past times…Great events on tap this year! ??? #newportri #newportmansions #rhodeisland @NewportMansions @DscvrNewport” username=”enjoytravellif1″]One Mansion, Thirty Christmas Trees!
Opposite the fireplace, the Music Room is aglow for the holidays, complete with a red-themed Christmas tree.
Festive glass ornaments and other baubles adorn one of thirty magnificent Christmas trees during the holidays at The Breakers mansion.
The Dining Room of The Breakers features twelve Corinthian columns, 18-, 22-, and 24-karat gilded walls, and an elaborate ceiling fresco. Two Baccarat crystal chandeliers shimmer from above. Surely more than a few elite and famous guests have dined in the opulence of this majestic room.
A vintage stuffed horse and an old-fashioned Saint Nicholas at The Breaks bring good cheer to children visiting The Newport Mansions at Christmas.
Luxury Lifestyle
Mr. Vanderbilt’s stately bedroom on the second floor of The Breakers, his summer “cottage,” no doubt offered a comfortable repose at day’s end.
A luxurious bathtub at The Breakers, carved from a single slab of marble and weighing almost one ton, offered the ultimate in relaxation. Four spigots ran hot and cold salt and freshwater. The saltwater was piped in from the Atlantic Ocean and considered therapeutic.
The rear-facing rooms of The Breakers Newport mansion offer views of the manicured property leading up to the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliff Walk follows the perimeter, dividing the two.
Behind the Scenes
Diffused light pours through grand windows of the hallway leading into the kitchen of The Breakers. One assumes this area was frequented by staff alone, but with such exquisite woodwork and turned rails, who would mind?
A tray of expertly decorated sugar cookies are strewn with red ribbon by the Pastry Chef and ready to be hung on a Christmas tree. I bet they’re delicious!
Rosecliff Mansion
Architecturally inspired by The Grand Trianon (the garden retreat at Versailles commissioned by Louis XIV), Newport’s Rosecliff mansion is on a smaller scale yet no less grand.
The entryway of Rosecliff features an open-air colonnade, paired ionic columns, second story pilasters, and a roofline balustrade.
This curvaceous stairway as seen from the landing above is an elegant combination of art and engineering!
Largest Private Ballroom in Newport, RI
Rosecliff is home to Newport’s largest private Ballroom, at 40 x 80 feet. With two massive chandeliers suspended from a coffered ceiling, gleaming wood floors, a gothic fireplace, and a string of arch-headed windows overlooking the front gardens, it’s simply magnificent. And, did I mention the 8-acre manicured property offers stunning ocean views of the Atlantic Ocean? Yup, fairytale wedding venue, for sure.
Natural light pours into the Ballroom through large windows, which give view to the lush formal gardens gracing the entrance. On the opposite side of the Ballroom, more windows overlook the adjacent canopied terrace. Steps lead from there down to the back grounds overlooking the Atlantic ocean beyond.
Hers & His
The Salon, decorated with a lighted Christmas tree amidst French Renaissance decor, was a comfortable receiving area for the lady of the house’s guests. Here, a working, carved Gothic fireplace provided ambiance as well as heat in addition to the mansion’s central heating. A large portrait of the home’s hostess, Theresa “Tessi” Oelrichs, oversees the room.
The rich woodwork and masculine decor of this room were intended for the gentlemen of Rosecliff mansion. A model ship and fine art collection might have been worthy discussion pieces while enjoying the finest of cigars.
Relaxing in Style
A gilded desk occupies a corner of this spacious bedroom, one of three located on the second floor of Rosecliff mansion. Each bedroom is filled with lovely furniture, artifacts of the day, and fine art. As a writer, no doubt I could become well acquainted with this inviting creative space.
Vintage books–one with a marbled edge–are stacked and ready for the bedroom guest’s repose.
Perhaps a tasty nightcap before retiring? Every amenity is covered in this lavish bedroom retreat.
What is your favorite tidbit of information about the Newport Mansions and/or life in The Gilded Age? Let me know in the comments below or by emailing me. I’d love to hear from you.
Special thanks go to The Newport Preservation Society in Newport, Rhode Island for their generosity.This article is part of a sponsored collaboration between The Newport Preservation Society and Enjoy Travel Life. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. For more information, please see the following Disclosure.
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52 thoughts on “Luxury Lifestyle: The Newport Mansions Decorated for Christmas”
If they’re decorated for Christmas, they look under-whelming. Nothing is to scale.
It is hard to decorate on a scale comparable to the mansions, that’s for sure! However, when you visit, it’s utterly gorgeous over the holidays. I hope you get a chance to see the Newport Mansions at Christmastime for yourself!
Hello there! I discovered your website Googling for a related topic. Looks great! I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Great to know, Alden. Come back soon!
Thank you for sharing excellent information about the mansions. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. I found just the information I was looking for.
Glad I was able to help, Darryl!
Your style is very unique compared to other people’s stuff I’ve read. Thank you for posting. I’ve bookmarked your site!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
*I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!?
Thank you!
Hello! I was checking out your website this morning and wanted to say I had fun reading it. Thanks!!
If they’re decorated for Christmas, they look under-whelming. Nothing is to scale.
It is hard to decorate on a scale comparable to the mansions, that’s for sure! However, when you visit, it’s utterly gorgeous over the holidays. I hope you get a chance to see the Newport Mansions at Christmastime for yourself!
Hello there! I discovered your website Googling for a related topic. Looks great! I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Great to know, Alden. Come back soon!
Thank you for sharing excellent information about the mansions. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. I found just the information I was looking for.
Glad I was able to help, Darryl!
Your style is very unique compared to other people’s stuff I’ve read. Thank you for posting. I’ve bookmarked your site!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
*I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!?
Thank you!
Hello! I was checking out your website this morning and wanted to say I had fun reading it. Thanks!!
Thanks, Gerard!