Inspired By Versaille’s Garden Retreat - Marble House, Newport, RI

Jun 3

William K. Vanderbilt chose architect Richard Morris Hunt to design the 39th birthday present he wanted to give to his wife, Alva. It would be called Marble House and was to be built on Newport’s fashionable Bellevue Avenue. Richard Morris Hunt was the first American educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. When designing Marble House, Hunt drew on two famous buildings dedicated to women, the Parthenon temple to Athena and the Petit Trianon. Marble House, built between 1888 and 1892, was more than just another summer “cottage”, it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport’s transformation from a quiet summer colony to a resort with opulent palaces.

The Vanderbilts divorced in 1895 and Alva married Oliver H.P. Belmont, and moved down the block to Belcourt. After William’s death, Alva reopened Marble House and had a Chinese Tea House built on the grounds near cliff walk. The house was sold in 1932 and was in private hands until 1963, when The Preservation Society acquired the house from the Prince estate.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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Dining room

The grounds with the Chinese Tea House

Beautiful art pieces are all around the house.

The Gothic Room ceiling detail

Chandelier and ceiling detail of the Gothic Room

The Gothic Room

The Gothic Room fireplace

The Gold Room

Suffrage on the menu - Votes for Women

The Kitchen

Alva Vanderbilt’s luxurious bedroom

Alva Vanderbilt’s bedroom

Alva Vanderbilt’s bed detail

Here is the Chinese Tea House, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Service staircase

Pictured here is the spiral staircase from the second to the to the third floor.

Wrought iron detail

Front facade

The marble staircase

Front facade with columns

The Morning Room

Front Facade

Front facade with columns

The Music Room

The Library

One of the son’s bedroom

Guest Bedroom

You can also see blogs about other Newport Gilded Age Mansions like Rosecliff, Belcourt, and The Elms.

Other Vanderbilt family estates include Lila Vanderbilt Webb’s Shelburne Farms in Vermont, Frederick’s Hyde Park in upstate New York, George’s Biltmore in Asheville, NC and Cornelius’ The Breakers.

What you should know:

There are guided mansion and garden tours, use the free Newport Mansions audio tour app. For the best tour experience, download the app before arriving, and remember your ear buds. Guests without smart devices will be provided a paper tour script.