The Elms, Newport (must see)
The Elms is not just a mansion; it's a grand testament to the Gilded Age's architectural opulence. Completed in 1901, this colossal "summer cottage," as they are sometimes whimsically called, is an embodiment of splendor and French-inspired design. Horace Trumbauer, the renowned architect of the time, created this masterpiece for Edward Julius Berwind, a prominent coal baron. Drawing inspiration from the 18th-century Ch芒teau d'Asni猫res in Asni猫res-sur-Seine, France, Trumbauer designed The Elms as a palatial retreat.
Berwind's vision extended beyond the mansion itself. Collaborating with landscape architects C. H. Miller and E. W. Bowditch, working closely with Trumbauer, the estate's gardens and landscapes were meticulously planned to complement the mansion's grandeur.
The Preservation Society of Newport County recognized the historical significance of The Elms, and in 1962, they acquired the property, opening it to the public for all to admire. In 1971, The Elms earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places, and its status was further elevated in 1996 when it was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The estate is a testament to French elegance, from the architecture of the house to the splendid grounds. The house's architecture represents a reinterpretation of the Ch芒teau d'Asni猫res, an 18th-century French estate in Asni猫res-sur-Seine, France. While The Elms draws significant inspiration from this French masterpiece, it's not an exact replication, and there are notable differences. For instance, the flanking sections of the Ch芒teau d'Asni猫res have five bays, while Trumbauer's design features four bays, marking it with a unique charm.
The gardens, a vital part of The Elms' allure, echo the taste of the eighteenth-century French landscape. They boast a sunken garden, which adds to the estate's appeal, creating a serene and picturesque environment.
Notably, the original American elms that once graced the property fell victim to Dutch elm disease. In their stead, weeping beeches now provide the mansion's striking shade and reinforce the sense of elegance that The Elms exudes.
Berwind's vision extended beyond the mansion itself. Collaborating with landscape architects C. H. Miller and E. W. Bowditch, working closely with Trumbauer, the estate's gardens and landscapes were meticulously planned to complement the mansion's grandeur.
The Preservation Society of Newport County recognized the historical significance of The Elms, and in 1962, they acquired the property, opening it to the public for all to admire. In 1971, The Elms earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places, and its status was further elevated in 1996 when it was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The estate is a testament to French elegance, from the architecture of the house to the splendid grounds. The house's architecture represents a reinterpretation of the Ch芒teau d'Asni猫res, an 18th-century French estate in Asni猫res-sur-Seine, France. While The Elms draws significant inspiration from this French masterpiece, it's not an exact replication, and there are notable differences. For instance, the flanking sections of the Ch芒teau d'Asni猫res have five bays, while Trumbauer's design features four bays, marking it with a unique charm.
The gardens, a vital part of The Elms' allure, echo the taste of the eighteenth-century French landscape. They boast a sunken garden, which adds to the estate's appeal, creating a serene and picturesque environment.
Notably, the original American elms that once graced the property fell victim to Dutch elm disease. In their stead, weeping beeches now provide the mansion's striking shade and reinforce the sense of elegance that The Elms exudes.
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The Elms on Map
Sight Name: The Elms
Sight Location: Newport, USA (See walking tours in Newport)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Newport, USA (See walking tours in Newport)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Newport, Rhode Island
Create Your Own Walk in Newport
Creating your own self-guided walk in Newport is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Newport Historic District Walking Tour
The Newport Historic District covers 250 acres (100 hectares) in the center of Newport, Rhode Island, and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1968. Home to an extensive and well-preserved assortment of intact colonial buildings dating from the early to mid-18th century, the collection of colonial buildings here is incomparable to anywhere else in the US. So much so in fact, that in 1997,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Bellevue Avenue Historic District Walking Tour
Situated along and around Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, the Bellevue Avenue Historic District is almost exclusively residential, featuring many of the Gilded Age mansions built as summer retreats for the rich and famous around the turn of the 20th century. For the most part, these exquisite properties, once owned by the likes of the Vanderbilt and Astor families, represent pioneering... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Newport Introduction Walking Tour
Newport, Rhode Island, is where history meets coastal charm... From its origins as a shipbuilding port to its place today as America's yachting capital, Newport has been tied to the sea.
The city was founded in 1639 on Rhode Island, now known as Aquidneck Island, and was named after the town of Newport in Shropshire, England. Its history is a tapestry of religious tolerance and maritime... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The city was founded in 1639 on Rhode Island, now known as Aquidneck Island, and was named after the town of Newport in Shropshire, England. Its history is a tapestry of religious tolerance and maritime... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles