Day 17 - 7/7
Today we traveled
down to Newport, Rhode Island to see the mansions. These grand palaces were
built during the Gilded Age before the national income tax was implemented in
1914. Wealthy families some whose names are familiar such as Vanderbilt and some lesser known such as Berwind built these places
so that during the summer they could throw parties and compete in society. One
house, if you could call it that, was called The Elms. This was owned by the
Berwinds, who made their money by having a monopoly on the coal trade. Their
place included bedrooms and sitting rooms which were filled with
paintings of important people and detailed patterns on the ceilings. We took a
tour that talked about the life of a servant who worked there. Most of the
mansions had about 40 to 43 servants. The footmen would be the only servants
seen by guests. To be one, a man had to be tall, usually over 6 feet, and
appealing to look at. The Elms also had a green canopy of plants that grew over
the servant's entrance. This was done so that if a guest happened to look out
the window, they wouldn't see deliveries and other activities preformed by the
workers. The kitchen was also very large. When a party was held, there could be
as many as 600 guests attending. The kitchen would be extremely busy and hot. Pastries
and other cold food that needed to be prepared would be put in its own special
room that had marble counters. The families that owned these homes were so rich
that they could afford to make their own ice, which was a luxury during the hot
summer months.
The Breakers and Marble House were both owned by the
Vanderbilt family. They owned a monopoly on the railroad system. What was so
impressive about both homes was the vast size and detail of every single room.
Even the bathrooms had telephones installed so that a servant could be called
to assist. The gardens of the homes were beautiful as well. We heard a story
where local children would play on the grounds and the butler would come out
with milk and cookies. Many of the trees we saw were over 100 years old. The
Rosewood house was owned by multiple people throughout the years. The ballroom
of this place was very impressive. The ceiling had a sky painted on it and the
walls had many windows . This made the room seem almost as if it was outside. Throwing in a gold piano doesn't hurt either.
These vast mansions were amazing to behold. Since there was no photography inside you'll have to come and see them for yourself!
Today we traveled
down to Newport, Rhode Island to see the mansions. These grand palaces were
built during the Gilded Age before the national income tax was implemented in
1914. Wealthy families some whose names are familiar such as Vanderbilt and some lesser known such as Berwind built these places
so that during the summer they could throw parties and compete in society. One
house, if you could call it that, was called The Elms. This was owned by the
Berwinds, who made their money by having a monopoly on the coal trade. Their
place included bedrooms and sitting rooms which were filled with
paintings of important people and detailed patterns on the ceilings. We took a
tour that talked about the life of a servant who worked there. Most of the
mansions had about 40 to 43 servants. The footmen would be the only servants
seen by guests. To be one, a man had to be tall, usually over 6 feet, and
appealing to look at. The Elms also had a green canopy of plants that grew over
the servant's entrance. This was done so that if a guest happened to look out
the window, they wouldn't see deliveries and other activities preformed by the
workers. The kitchen was also very large. When a party was held, there could be
as many as 600 guests attending. The kitchen would be extremely busy and hot. Pastries
and other cold food that needed to be prepared would be put in its own special
room that had marble counters. The families that owned these homes were so rich
that they could afford to make their own ice, which was a luxury during the hot
summer months. 
The Breakers and Marble House were both owned by the
Vanderbilt family. They owned a monopoly on the railroad system. What was so
impressive about both homes was the vast size and detail of every single room.
Even the bathrooms had telephones installed so that a servant could be called
to assist. The gardens of the homes were beautiful as well. We heard a story
where local children would play on the grounds and the butler would come out
with milk and cookies. Many of the trees we saw were over 100 years old. The
Rosewood house was owned by multiple people throughout the years. The ballroom
of this place was very impressive. The ceiling had a sky painted on it and the
walls had many windows . This made the room seem almost as if it was outside. Throwing in a gold piano doesn't hurt either.
These vast mansions were amazing to behold. Since there was no photography inside you'll have to come and see them for yourself!
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