Located along the eastern coast of Rhode Island, Newport was the place to vacation in the summer during the height of the Gilded Age in the late 1880s. Many of the most powerful and wealthy people - including the Vanderbilt - spent the summer vacationing in these insanely luxurious mansions. Some of these "summer cottages", complete with their original furnishings and decorations, have been preserved and (for a small fee) are open to the public to catch a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous from over a hundred years ago.
Category: Rhode Island
A Weekend in Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the United States, but it sure has a big history for being a luxurious summer retreat for the the rich and powerful during the height of the Gilded Age. With its close proximity to the ocean (and of New York) many of the wealthy - including the Vanderbilts, spent the summer vacationing here during the late 1800s. Many of these elaborate Newport mansions, complete with their original furnishings and decoration, have been preserved and (for a small fee) are open to the public to catch a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and the famous from over a hundred years ago.