Of all the mansions I saw in Newport, Rosecliff was my favorite. It was owned by Hermann and Tessie Oelrichs and designed by Stanford White, completed in 1902. Tessie Oelrichs liked to host parties, and Rosecliff was definitely designed to be her perfect venue. She hosted her first of many, highly-theatrical galas before Rosecliff had even been fully completed.
Tag: Gilded Age
Marble House (My Newport Adventures)
The Marble House (completed in 1892) was designed by Alva Vanderbilt, who was then the wife of William K. Vanderbilt. The house was designed by Richard Morris Hunt with decoration by Jules Allard and Sons. The Marble House is definitely over the top, yet it feels strangely accessible because none of the rooms are particularly large. Despite the gilt, brocade, and ornamentation, its scale gives a human feeling
The Elms (My Newport Adventures)
The Elms was the first mansion I saw on my first day in Newport, and it was the perfect way to start my trip. The home was built in 1901 for Edward and Herminie Berwind, who made their fortune in the coal industry. It was later occupied by Edward's sister Julia. The house was designed by Horace Trumbauer of Philadelphia and decorated by Jules Allard and Sons of Paris.
An Introduction to Newport
Last week, I was lucky enough to spend some time in Newport, Rhode Island, where I saw eight gorgeous mansions in three days! Over the next week or so, I'll provide you with the scoop on each of them. But before we get started, let's talk about Newport itself. For anyone who doesn't know, Newport is… Continue reading An Introduction to Newport
My Newport Adventure
If you're wondering why it's been quiet here on A Scholarly Skater, it's because I've been out of town. I just returned from Newport, Rhode Island, where I saw eight spectacular Gilded Age mansions in three days! I've just downloaded all of my photos from the trip (425 in total), and I'm starting to write about… Continue reading My Newport Adventure
My visit to Lyndhurst, an American castle
Lyndhurst is an huge house in Tarrytown, New York. It was home to politician William Paulding, businessman George Merritt, and finally Gilded Age industrialist Jay Gould and his family. Lyndhurst has incredible Gothic Revival architecture, stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany and John LaFarge, and great furniture.
Gargoyle of the Day: Turnblad Mansion, Minneapolis, USA
I belong to a wonderful group on Facebook called Mansions of the Gilded Age. Last month, I asked some of my fellow group members whether they knew of any gargoyles on Gilded Age homes. They came back with quite a few great examples, including the Turnblad Mansion in Minneapolis. Commissioned by Swedish-born newspaper publisher Swan Turnblad… Continue reading Gargoyle of the Day: Turnblad Mansion, Minneapolis, USA
Gargoyle of the Day: Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
Gargoyles on private homes are uncommon. Gargoyles on private homes in the United States are like unicorns - rare, exciting, and magical (metaphorically, of course). These gargoyles are part of the gorgeous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, constructed in the late nineteenth century. According to several sources, the Biltmore's gargoyles are non-functioning - and… Continue reading Gargoyle of the Day: Biltmore Estate, North Carolina