Welcome to the Ochre Point-Cliffs Historic District in Newport, Rhode Island, a location steeped in the grandeur and affluence of America’s Gilded Age. This historic district is a testament to the architectural brilliance and opulence that characterized the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The district is home to some of the most iconic mansions in Newport, including the Bois Doré, a 19,000-square-foot French chateau-style mansion. Built in 1927 by architect Charles A. Platt for William Fahnestock, a prominent New York banker, Bois Doré stands as one of the last grand houses constructed in Newport. Its limestone facade, complete with 25 bedrooms, a grand ballroom, and expansive terraces, reflects the lavish lifestyle of the era.
Another jewel of the district is The Breakers, built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style by Richard Morris Hunt, this 70-room mansion epitomizes Gilded Age extravagance with its marble interiors and intricate woodwork. Vanderbilt, a key figure in American industry, insisted on a fireproof design, showcasing his forward-thinking approach to architecture.
The district also includes Chepstow, an Italianate-style villa constructed in 1860 by architect George Champlin Mason for Edmund Schermerhorn. This ‘summer cottage’ reflects the Italianate architectural style with its square towers and elaborate windows.
These homes not only hosted the nation’s elite but also played a significant role in the cultural and social fabric of Newport. Figures like Cambell’s Soup heiress Elinor Winifred Dorrance Hill Ingersoll and oil heiress Carolyn Mary Skelly have resided here, leaving their mark on the district’s storied past.
Today, many of these mansions are preserved as museums, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the opulence of Newport’s historic past. The Ochre Point-Cliffs Historic District remains a symbol of architectural splendor and historical significance, offering a glimpse into the lives of America’s wealthiest families during the Gilded Age.
