“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37
You may remember taking a road trip with us early last fall to New England…Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Ring a bell? After Butch carefully planned our itinerary, I realized how close we would be to Newport, RI…so I suggested we add a couple of extra days to see what it was all about! He was so sweet to agree, and we made our way over! Being the history buff that I am, I had read and been somewhat fascinated by the Gilded Age, a time in American history that saw rapid economic growth. A couple of visits to the Biltmore and a trip to Hearst Castle had piqued my interest in this era of American history. Newport was the summer playground for the wealthiest industrialists who built opulent mansions facing the sea. So of course, I had to see what this was all about We toured three of the mansions, and with Valentine’s Day on my mind, I am sharing the most romantic of all, Rosecliff. Put on your walking shoes and be ready to take in all of the eye candy!
Rosecliff was built between 1898-1902 by Nevada silver heiress, Theresa “Tessie”Fair Oelrichs and her husband, Hermann Oelrichs who was wealthy in his own right. They purchased the land in 1891 from George Bancroft, an amateur horticulturist who developed the American Beauty Rose. The flamboyant architect, Stanford White modeled the mansion after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. In 1902 upon Rosecliff’s completion, it was reported to have cost $2.5 million.
The architect created an exquisite house clad in gleaming white terra-cotta tiles delicately adorned with cascades of flowers and musical instruments.
Tessie hosted some of the greatest parties of the Gilded Age at Rosecliff, a perfect stage for entertaining. Today, Rosecliff hosts countless weddings and special events bringing the romance of the Gilded Age back to life for the 21st century.
In 1902, before the completion of Rosecliff, Tessie hosted a party covering the unfinished part of the building with flowers that included garlands of roses.
Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous entertainments including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini.
On the right of the main entrance is a beautiful rose garden.
I can only imagine how beautiful the rose garden would be in full bloom!
The sweeping double staircase framed by the soaring arched window was designed for a person to be seen The height of the stairs makes it easier to walk down than to walk up.
Party guests were first ushered into the salon that was decorated in a French Renaissance style. The large portrait is that of Rosecliff’s hostess, Theresa ” Tessie” Oelrichs. She was born in 1870 and described as an Irish beauty. She was not a shrinking violet, nor was she demure, but she was brassy and new money. Upon her marriage to Hermann, a society figure, her father, by now a Nevada senator handed the couple a million dollar check as a wedding present to give them a proper start in society.
Although Rosecliff was built with central heating, each of the main rooms downstairs and the bedrooms upstairs also included a working fireplace. Carved French limestone makes up the base of this Gothic fireplace.
Rosecliff was built for entertaining and the grand ballroom is its heart. The ballroom occupies the center of the house opening to the ocean to the east and the gardens to the west. This is the largest single private room of any house in Newport and measures 40 feet by 80 feet. The house was used for extravagant parties and to show off their wealth.
The famous “white ball” was given by Tessie in August 1904. The invitation had strict orders that the guests were only to appear in white. She wanted guests to dress like the French court of the 18th century with the women wearing white gowns and white powdered hairstyles. The party lasted until 5 am the next morning.
When Tessie Oelrichs died in 1926, her son, Hermann Jr inherited Rosecliff. The center of the ballroom, Tessie’s elaborate social stageset, now held a ping pong table. They even used this space as their personal roller skating rink. By the 1940’s, Newport’s mansions were considered useless white elephants and too costly to maintain. Herman Jr sold Rosecliff and most of its furnishings at auction. The price for his mother’s mansion was $21,000.00.
The dining room with its green silk draperies and painted landscapes on the wall recall Rosecliff’s original design.
Tessie hosted dinner parties that often involved as many as 200 guests and as many as twelve courses.
Every grand house of the Gilded Age had a comfortable room devoted exclusively for men.
With its wood paneled walls and low ceiling, the men would retreat to the library to smoke their cigars and get away from the ladies. Hermann Oelrichs was a spectacular athlete and a champion swimmer and I am sure that sports was a topic of conversation!
Cole Porter, Broadway composer and society darling, was often a house guest in the 1930’s. He was a good friend of Hermann Oelrichs, Jr and his wife, Dorothy. He was furnished a white piano in this upstairs sitting room and wrote the majority of “Anything Goes”. Rosecliff was the inspiration for his song, “Night and Day”. The room is used today as a consultation room for weddings and events.
In 1949, J. Edgar Monroe a prominent New Orleans businessman, and his wife Louise purchased the mansion. They were the final private owners of Rosecliff and this is their bedroom.
In 1971, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe donated the entire estate with its contents and a $2 million operating endowment to the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Adjoining the bedroom is this luxurious bath.
This is a view of Rosecliff from the famous Bellevue Avenue. In 1974, the Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow was filmed at Rosecliff with the house actually being a character in the movie. Several other movies have been filmed here, also. If you are ever in Newport, Rhode Island I encourage you to visit these beautiful mansions that take you back to another time.
Don’t forget to check out all of the Romantic Tables for Two in our Blog Hop hosted by Chloe from Celebrate & Decorate! There are endless ideas for Valentine’s Day!
Monday
From My Carolina Home | Everyday Living | Home is Where the Boat Is
Tuesday
Life and Linda | My Kentucky Living | Living With Thanksgiving | CoziNest
Wednesday
Belle Bleu Interiors | Rosemary and Thyme | Dining Delight | Fjolla’s Table | Bluesky Kitchen
Thursday
Panoply | Celebrate & Decorate | Sweet Sensations | The Painted Apron
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Love Of Home, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Celebrate & Decorate
What fun! Though pure decadence! We were in Newport RI several years ago and walked along Cliff Walk, viewing all the wonderful “summer” homes from the outside along the way, and touring one (Vanderbilt).
You must have toured Marble House, Rita. It was a fun day, but for sure decadent overload!
Thank you for sharing this amazing place. What opulence and grandeur from a past age. Thankfully the Monroe family elected to preserve it’s beauty for all to share.
Libby, it truly is a romantic place from a bygone era!
Wow. It’s a treasure to behold. I cannot imagine life in those days. This makes me think of Biltmore, too, which was built around this same time. Life was definitely charming for those with wealth, new or old. Thanks for sharing this beauty.
Kim, can you imagine just keeping the ballroom floor clean?
Can you imagine being a guest at the white ball, talk about romantic. I haven’t been to the mansions in a long time and enjoyed your wonderful photos.
Karen, thanks for your visit…the mansions in Newport are something to see for sure!
Such a beautiful house Pam, love the history as well – Tessie sounded like quite a character!
Thanks, Joy…it is a fascinating house with intriguing history!
This is Grandeur!! Tessie had Great taste! I love looking at this estate, thanks for sharing your photos.
Thanks so much, Nancy. Tessie was definitely a character…
Oh wow!!! What an amazing tour!! Over the top beautiful. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall during the white ball or to hear Cole Porter playing on the piano!! Adding Newport to my list! Thank you for sharing.
Rebeca, it definitely is beautiful and I agree how fascinating that Cole Porter was often a guest!
What an amazing place, Pam! It is gorgeous. I know that you must have enjoyed your visit, Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I hope that you enjoy your day!!!
Thanks Shannon, it was a great place to visit!
Gorgeous home and the flowers outside are fabulous! It’s amazing to see such opulence and nice that they can still be toured today. Your pictures are wonderful. I’ll be scrolling back for a second look.
We toured several mansions when we were there in 1995, I think. However, I remember it was not planned but we arrived there the day a charity ball was to be held that evening. I thought it was the 100 anniversary of the home. The flowers beginning at the doorway were spectacular. I remember smelling them before I saw them. In the ballroom the centerpieces on the tables were gorgeous and flowers in large urns were everywhere. I don’t get lucky very often and that was before cell phones so I didn’t get any pics. I didn’t have a camera at all.
Thanks for the beautiful tour and history.
Bonnie, I am glad that you got to see the mansion again through my camera lens…Newport is definitely fascinating and Tessie was quite a character for sure!
Stopping by from the blog hop. Thank you for sharing this lovely post!
Thanks so much for stopping by…I am glad you enjoyed this mansion!
Wow talk about living in grand style. I cannot even imagine having a ballroom lol. Beautiful post, i enjoyed the tour very much.
Leanna, thanks so much for touring with me!
Just a beautiful and stunning estate!
Thanks so much Christine!
Isn’t it fun to imagine living such a luxurious lifestyle, Pam! However, then I remind myself of the clothing they wore, with the corsets, heavy fabrics, wigs, and no air-conditioning! No thank you!! Ha, what fun to peak into the mansions of the ultra wealthy of another era, thanks for taking us with you!
Jenna, when I visit a bygone era, I always try to imagine life back then. Of course, Tessie had a life of privilege, but she died young in her fifties.
While I would never be comfortable living in one of those magnificent homes, I do love looking at them! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Newport is definitely on my short bucket list of places to see!
Pat, Newport is very fascinating. Even though these people lived in opulence, their lives were so less than perfect and often so sad. Happy Saturday, my friend!
What a most grand home. Definitely built for fine entertaining with those expansive interiors and exquisite gardens.
Shirley, I can only imagine what the elegant parties would have been like…Happy Saturday!
Thank you all so much for visiting me here! I always appreciate and enjoy reading your kind thoughts, which you are always welcome to share!
Thank you for your kind visits!
that is gorgeous. Those bathroom mirrored doors are unbelievable. Thanks for sharing.
Pam – I loved this post! My husband and I took the same cruise from Manhattan all the way up to Nova Scotia FOUR times so far in early fall before it got chilly and each time stopped in Newport, RI and did a mansion tour. LOVE those tours – aren’t these houses amazing? I would also love to see this particular mansion at rose bloom time. We happened to catch roses in bloom the only time we visited The Biltmore and I thought I would die it was so amazing!
Thanks for sharing – loved all the stories, some I hadn’t heard. so I truly feel as though we went on the tour again! : – )
Michele, how amazing that you have taken the same cruise four times. These mansions are opulent…Biltmore is also grand and fun in any season, especially Christmas!
This is like a history lesson. Everything looks amazing!
Thanks for visiting Christina! Hope your week is wonderful!
What an exquisite mansion
Yes, it is splendid!
Such a beautiful estate and the gardens … well, I would love to see it in person!
Thanks for also sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thanks so much, Cindy! Happy Monday!
Beautiful old home and I was surprised how warm most of the rooms looked. Allot of older mansions often feel cold and unwelcoming, this one is defiantly an exception. I can only imagine the wonderful parties and gatherings that were held.
Thanks so much for visiting, Sandy! Rosecliff is amazing…
How interesting the story behind this house. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
Thank you Sherry!
What a gorgeous place, and oh my how gorgeous are the gardens? Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks so much, Jann!
These are fabulous photos, Pam. I’m so looking forward to Julian Fellowes’ new series “The Gilded Age.” It’s always intrigued me, even more so after visiting The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home. And of course Biltmore and some of the Newport homes. I don’t know that he can top Downton Abbey but I look forward to seeing him try!
Jeanie, I would love to visit Edith Wharton’s home! Thanks my friend!
If these walls could talk! These pictures are lovely and the history of this property is very interesting. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.
Thanks Sandra…Happy Weekend!
Thanks for the beautiful tour! I have visited the Newport mansions a couple times and am always so fascinated with their history. How nice that you were able to spend some time there during your New England trip! Thanks for linking up again to the Take Me Away party! Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley, Newport is fascinating!
Hi Pam and thank you for sharing such a charming and inspiring post !
Wishing you the best of weeks
X Daniela at – My little old world –
Daniela, thanks so much for visiting…wishing you a wonderful week!
I just came across your blog Pam and it is lovely! I have visited Rosecliff a couple of times in the past, but it is usually during the fall. These photos of the gardens in bloom are wonderful, so I am glad to have found them on your blog and experience them, even if virtually! Thank you for sharing!