Newport's The Breakers

The Breakers sits majestically along Newport Rhode Island's Atlantic coast, a stately reminder of America's "Gilded Age." The 70-room mansion, built between 1893 and 1895, was once the summer home of industrialist, Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The five-story structure is made of cream-colored Indiana limestone topped with an ochre terra cotta tile roof. Today, the mansion is owned by the Rhode Island Historical Society and is the most visited attraction in the state.

Newport's The Breakers

The current Breakers mansion is the second house to be built on the 13-acre property. The original Breakers, built by tobacco mogul Pierre Lorillard IV, burned to the ground in 1892. Mr. Lorillard sold the property to Vanderbilt, who with the help of architect, Richard Morris Hunt, built the current mansion for the astronomical sum of $7 million.

The high-maintenance property was leased to the Preservation Society of Rhode Island in 1948 by Vanderbilt's youngest child for $1 per year, with the provision that the family could live on the third floor, if desired. The Society later purchased the mansion and operates it as a tourist attraction. Descendents of Mr. Vanderbilt still summer at the mansion, hidden above the flocks of visitors.

The Breakers combines classical, Beaux Arts, and Victorian architecture and design. The massive 70-room, 130,000-square foot mansion was modeled after the grand palazzos of 16th century Turin Italy, embellished by such details as 45-foot tall Corinthian columns and mosaic tile ceilings. The interior of the house is constructed of Indiana limestone, an insurance against fire such as destroyed the original house. The roof is made of terra cotta tile and white Vermont marble is used liberally throughout the house.

The Breakers was made for entertaining. The house is built symmetrically around a 45-foot high grand entrance hall. In addition, the house has a covered, central courtyard and a huge ballroom. Highlights of the Breakers include a blue marble fireplace, rose alabaster pillars in the dining room, a an intricate mosaic porch ceiling, which took Italian artisans six months lying on their backs to complete. The house also features majestic ocean vistas throughout. Most of the furniture at the estate is original and still belongs to the Vanderbilt family.

The grounds of the Breakers are being restored to their original elegance. Visitors are welcome to stroll among the gardens and visit the stables, barn, and carriage house on self-guided tours.

The Breakers is one of ten historic Newport mansions available to tour. The mansion is open daily throughout the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Hours vary depending on the season. Multi-house tickets are available as well as single house tickets. The program at the Breakers includes a film about the Newport mansions and a guided house tour. Tickets for the Breakers are $15 for adults, $4 for children, and free for visitors under 6. The Breakers is accessible to visitors who use a wheelchair.

The Breakers is easily accessible from New York City, Boston, and many east coast cities by car.

The holiday season is especially charming at The Breakers when the entire mansion is decked in greenery and holiday finery. Special holiday season events include evening candlelit tours.

The Breakers
Ochre Point Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
401 847-1000

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