ABOUT The Breakers
The Gilded Age, a period of immense wealth, industrial growth, and opulent lifestyles in the United States, left behind architectural marvels that still captivate visitors today. One of the most iconic symbols of this era is The Breakers, a palatial summer residence built for the Vanderbilt family in Newport, Rhode Island. This historic mansion stands as a testament to America's age of excess and elegance—a place where architecture, art, and ambition met at their grandest.
The story of The Breakers begins with Cornelius Vanderbilt II, grandson of the famous railroad magnate Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. In 1885, he purchased a wooden summer home on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport. That house burned down in 1892, and Vanderbilt decided to replace it with something fireproof and monumental. He commissioned Richard Morris Hunt, one of the most prominent architects of the era, to design a new mansion that would reflect both durability and unmatched grandeur.
Construction began in 1893 and was completed in just two years, in 1895. The new mansion was built using steel, brick, and limestone, with no wood framing to ensure fire resistance. The heating system was relocated underground to reduce fire risks—a rare and innovative safety measure for its time.
Inspired by 16th-century Italian Renaissance palaces in Genoa and Turin, The Breakers was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, popular among the elite during the Gilded Age. The mansion has 70 rooms spread over five floors, occupying over 125,000 square feet (11,600 square meters) of space.
The façade is adorned with sculpted columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework. The Great Hall, rising more than 45 feet (13.7 meters) high, features massive chandeliers, gilded moldings, and lavish tapestries, serving as the symbolic heart of the estate. Other standout rooms include the Morning Room with platinum-leaf walls and the Music Room, where the Vanderbilts hosted elite soirées.
The interior of The Breakers is a symphony of luxury. Materials were sourced from across the globe—marble from Italy, onyx from Africa, and rare woods from South America and Asia. French and Italian artisans were brought in to install mosaic floors, frescoed ceilings, and elaborate carvings, transforming the house into a museum of craftsmanship.
The Dining Room, for example, is a dazzling showcase of French Baroque opulence, featuring gilded columns and a ceiling painted with allegorical scenes. Every detail in the home was meant to demonstrate the Vanderbilt family's immense wealth and refined taste.
The mansion is surrounded by 14 acres (5.6 hectares) of landscaped gardens designed by Ernest Bowditch, a respected landscape architect of the time. The grounds include symmetrical flower beds, walking paths, and a carefully manicured lawn with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Notable trees such as the weeping beech and blue atlas cedar add unique texture to the garden. The landscaping was designed not just for beauty but to create a seamless blend between architecture and nature—a hallmark of Gilded Age estates.
Cornelius Vanderbilt II used The Breakers as a summer residence until his death in 1899. His widow, Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt, retained the home until her death in 1934, after which it was inherited by their youngest daughter, Gladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi.
In 1948, Gladys leased the mansion to the Preservation Society of Newport County for a symbolic one dollar per year. Eventually, the Society purchased the house and much of its original furnishings in 1972 for $365,000, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Today, The Breakers is the most visited historic house in New England, drawing over 450,000 visitors annually. It is operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County and is open year-round for tours.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided audio tours available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese. For those looking for a more in-depth experience, special tours such as “Beneath The Breakers” offer a behind-the-scenes look at the boiler room, underground tunnels, and mechanical systems that powered the estate.
The Breakers is not just a destination for architecture and history buffs—it’s also family-friendly. The Preservation Society offers a family audio tour tailored for children, complete with character voices and interactive storytelling to engage younger audiences.
Additionally, schools often schedule educational trips to The Breakers as part of their history and social studies curricula. The estate provides a real-world classroom for learning about the American Gilded Age, architecture, and the cultural shifts of the late 19th century.
Location: 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tickets: Available online or at the entrance
Website: www.newportmansions.org
The site recommends downloading the Newport Mansions mobile app to enhance the visitor experience. The app offers interactive maps, in-depth stories, and multilingual tours.
Throughout the year, The Breakers hosts special events, including holiday tours, garden parties, and seasonal exhibitions. During the winter holidays, the mansion is elaborately decorated, making it one of the most enchanting Christmas destinations in the region.
Art lovers can also attend exhibits featuring Gilded Age art, fashion, and culture, often displayed in collaboration with museums and historical institutions.
Thanks to its iconic status and cinematic appearance, The Breakers has been featured in documentaries, films, and series about America’s wealthiest families. Most recently, it has gained renewed attention due to its inclusion in HBO’s series “The Gilded Age”, which draws inspiration from real-life Vanderbilt stories.
The mansion's elegant backdrop and authentic interiors make it a popular location for period dramas and fashion photography.
Visiting The Breakers is like stepping into a different world—a world of excess, elegance, and social ambition. It offers a rare glimpse into a transformative period in American history, where the boundaries of architecture, technology, and lifestyle were pushed to their limits.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of architecture, or simply curious about how America’s elite once lived, The Breakers is an unforgettable experience. More than just a house, it is a living museum, a symbol of an era, and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the legacy of the Gilded Age.
Origins of The Breakers
The story of The Breakers begins with Cornelius Vanderbilt II, grandson of the famous railroad magnate Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. In 1885, he purchased a wooden summer home on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport. That house burned down in 1892, and Vanderbilt decided to replace it with something fireproof and monumental. He commissioned Richard Morris Hunt, one of the most prominent architects of the era, to design a new mansion that would reflect both durability and unmatched grandeur.
Construction began in 1893 and was completed in just two years, in 1895. The new mansion was built using steel, brick, and limestone, with no wood framing to ensure fire resistance. The heating system was relocated underground to reduce fire risks—a rare and innovative safety measure for its time.
Architectural Grandeur and Design
Inspired by 16th-century Italian Renaissance palaces in Genoa and Turin, The Breakers was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, popular among the elite during the Gilded Age. The mansion has 70 rooms spread over five floors, occupying over 125,000 square feet (11,600 square meters) of space.
The façade is adorned with sculpted columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework. The Great Hall, rising more than 45 feet (13.7 meters) high, features massive chandeliers, gilded moldings, and lavish tapestries, serving as the symbolic heart of the estate. Other standout rooms include the Morning Room with platinum-leaf walls and the Music Room, where the Vanderbilts hosted elite soirées.
Imported Materials and Artisan Craftsmanship
The interior of The Breakers is a symphony of luxury. Materials were sourced from across the globe—marble from Italy, onyx from Africa, and rare woods from South America and Asia. French and Italian artisans were brought in to install mosaic floors, frescoed ceilings, and elaborate carvings, transforming the house into a museum of craftsmanship.
The Dining Room, for example, is a dazzling showcase of French Baroque opulence, featuring gilded columns and a ceiling painted with allegorical scenes. Every detail in the home was meant to demonstrate the Vanderbilt family's immense wealth and refined taste.
The Landscape and Gardens
The mansion is surrounded by 14 acres (5.6 hectares) of landscaped gardens designed by Ernest Bowditch, a respected landscape architect of the time. The grounds include symmetrical flower beds, walking paths, and a carefully manicured lawn with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Notable trees such as the weeping beech and blue atlas cedar add unique texture to the garden. The landscaping was designed not just for beauty but to create a seamless blend between architecture and nature—a hallmark of Gilded Age estates.
The Vanderbilt Legacy
Cornelius Vanderbilt II used The Breakers as a summer residence until his death in 1899. His widow, Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt, retained the home until her death in 1934, after which it was inherited by their youngest daughter, Gladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi.
In 1948, Gladys leased the mansion to the Preservation Society of Newport County for a symbolic one dollar per year. Eventually, the Society purchased the house and much of its original furnishings in 1972 for $365,000, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The Breakers Today
Today, The Breakers is the most visited historic house in New England, drawing over 450,000 visitors annually. It is operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County and is open year-round for tours.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided audio tours available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese. For those looking for a more in-depth experience, special tours such as “Beneath The Breakers” offer a behind-the-scenes look at the boiler room, underground tunnels, and mechanical systems that powered the estate.
Family-Friendly and Educational Experiences
The Breakers is not just a destination for architecture and history buffs—it’s also family-friendly. The Preservation Society offers a family audio tour tailored for children, complete with character voices and interactive storytelling to engage younger audiences.
Additionally, schools often schedule educational trips to The Breakers as part of their history and social studies curricula. The estate provides a real-world classroom for learning about the American Gilded Age, architecture, and the cultural shifts of the late 19th century.
Planning Your Visit
Location: 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tickets: Available online or at the entrance
Website: www.newportmansions.org
The site recommends downloading the Newport Mansions mobile app to enhance the visitor experience. The app offers interactive maps, in-depth stories, and multilingual tours.
Events and Special Exhibits
Throughout the year, The Breakers hosts special events, including holiday tours, garden parties, and seasonal exhibitions. During the winter holidays, the mansion is elaborately decorated, making it one of the most enchanting Christmas destinations in the region.
Art lovers can also attend exhibits featuring Gilded Age art, fashion, and culture, often displayed in collaboration with museums and historical institutions.
The Breakers in Pop Culture
Thanks to its iconic status and cinematic appearance, The Breakers has been featured in documentaries, films, and series about America’s wealthiest families. Most recently, it has gained renewed attention due to its inclusion in HBO’s series “The Gilded Age”, which draws inspiration from real-life Vanderbilt stories.
The mansion's elegant backdrop and authentic interiors make it a popular location for period dramas and fashion photography.
Visiting The Breakers is like stepping into a different world—a world of excess, elegance, and social ambition. It offers a rare glimpse into a transformative period in American history, where the boundaries of architecture, technology, and lifestyle were pushed to their limits.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of architecture, or simply curious about how America’s elite once lived, The Breakers is an unforgettable experience. More than just a house, it is a living museum, a symbol of an era, and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the legacy of the Gilded Age.
The Best Pictures of The Breakers
Videos of The Breakers
