Operating Schedule
See which of the mansions are open and when. Search by date or month, or view the full year’s schedule.
Visitor Info
View our FAQs, map & parking, guidelines and more.
Tours, Groups, Exclusive Experiences
Explore our various tour types to find what’s best for you and your group.
History of Newport and the Mansions
Founded in 1639, Newport was an important port city, a center of the slave trade, a fashionable resort and the summer home of the Gilded Age rich.
What was the Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age was a period of unprecedented change in America. Fortunes were spent on luxuries such as the lavish "summer cottages" of Newport.
Deep Dive into the Show
Learn about the people, places and events depicted in Julian Fellowes' popular historical drama series.
“Inside the Newport Mansions” Gilded Age Conversations
Noted historians and authors share their insights into all aspects of Gilded Age America in this monthly series of interviews with the Preservation Society.
Become a Member
We invite you to become a member of the Preservation Society today.
Premium Memberships
We invite you to join these exclusive levels of membership for patrons interested in enhanced access and benefits at the Preservation Society.
Current Members
As a member, you can enjoy unlimited general admission to our properties and do not need tickets. Simply bring your membership card for admission.
Membership FAQs
Membership gives you free, unlimited access to regular guided and audio tours at all Newport Mansions properties.
About Us
Our mission is to protect, preserve, and present the best of Newport County's architectural heritage. Learn more about us and our work.
Wind Farm Federal Appeal: FAQs
The Preservation Society of Newport County is appealing federal agency approval of two massive wind farms off the Rhode Island coast.
Personal Photography on the Grounds
Rent our museums for commercial photography & videography, TV production, and wedding photography.
Commercial Filming or Photography
Museum Rentals & Weddings
Host your wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, or other celebration at our historic museums.
The Preservation Society of Newport County is one of the richest resources in the nation for the fine and decorative arts of the Gilded Age. Visiting Curator Ulysses Grant Dietz went “treasure hunting” in the historic properties of the Preservation Society, and he found 100 objects that he had seen many times — but had never really looked at. He realized that sometimes, inside these beautiful mansions, it’s hard to see the individual pieces because of all the other things around them.
This exhibition lets you look closely at objects ranging in date from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, all of which were collected during the Gilded Age. These beautiful things — furniture, metalwork, ceramics, glass, painting, sculpture, prints, and photographs — come from all over the world, and represent many different styles and tastes. They also represent the skills of exceptional craftspeople — including many anonymous workers who couldn’t afford to own the things they made.
As you explore Anything You Want, take a closer look at these works of art and think about why someone in the Gilded Age might have wanted to own them.
Les Trois Amis (The Three Friends)
(Portrait of Harold Stirling Vanderbilt) Charles Chaplin (1825-1891), 1887; Frame made by Jules Allard and Sons (active 1878-1907), Paris Oil on canvas, carved and gilded oak Bequest of Harold S. Vanderbilt. PSNC.429.
Louis XV Chest of Drawers (Commode)
Attributed to Jean-François Oeben (1721-1763), Paris, 1740-1760 Wood with marquetry veneers, marble, gilded bronze (ormolu) Bequest of Harold S. Vanderbilt. PSNC.413.a-b.
Side Chair
Unidentified maker, Boston, 1730-1740 Mahogany, maple, leather Purchased by The Preservation Society of Newport County. PSNC.1787a-b.
America
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (active 1710-present), Dresden, Germany, late 1800s Hard-paste porcelain, enamel Bequest of Mrs. Aletta Morris McBean. PSNC.9048.
Vase Decorated with Chrysanthemums (One of a Pair)
Hansuke Kawamoto V (1831-1907) or VI (1844-1905) for Hyochien (1873-1909), Tokyo, Japan, 1879 Stoneware, enamel Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Gwendolen E. Rives. PSNC.5098.1.
“Four Elements” Centerpiece
John C. Moore (1803-1874), New York, 1851 Retailed by Tiffany, Young & Ellis (active 1837-1853), New York Sterling silver, silver-plated brass Gift of Norrie Wetmore Sellar. PSNC.9804.
Mantel Clock and Candelabra
Attributed to Raingo Frères (active 1823-1890), Paris, 1875-1890 Retailed by Tiffany & Co. (active 1837-present), New York Marble, gilded bronze (ormolu), metal, glass, enamel Gift of Countess Anthony Szapáry. PSNC.2960.1-.3a-e.
Parlor Cabinet in the Colonial Style
Unidentified maker, England, 1870s Rosewood, tulipwood, satinwood, glass, metal Gift of Mrs. Gwendolen E. Rives. PSNC.6136.
Dining Chair (from a Set of 25)
Jules Allard and Sons (1878-1907), Paris, c. 1890 Cast bronze, gilded bronze (ormolu), cut velvet Gift of Mr. Frederick H. Prince. PSNC.430.1-.25.
Closed Armchair (Bergère)
Designed by Ogden Codman, Jr. (1863-1951), for A. H. Davenport & Co. (1880-1974), Boston, c. 1895 Painted wood, reproduction chintz Gift of Gladys T. Peterson and Countess Anthony Szapáry. PSNC.2905.11.
Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.June 1 - September 1, offered at 10 am & 2 pm
For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts is open for public tours.
See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. June 1 - September 1, offered at 10 am, 12 pm & 2 pm
Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where Julian Fellowes' historical drama series was filmed. Fridays only, May 2 through June 27.
Learn tips and tricks from the Preservation Society's Director of Gardens & Landscapes to help you prepare your garden beds for a successful growing season.
Learn about Newport’s landscape history, the threat posed by beech leaf disease and planting strategies for the future. This educational forum is a collaborative effort among The Preservation Society of Newport County, Bartlett Tree Experts, the City of Newport, Salve Regina University, Aquidneck Land Trust and The Newport Tree Conservancy.SOLD OUT for in-person attendance. Virtual attendance is available.
Get your garden going or find nice springtime and Mother's Day gifts for friends and family! A variety of flowers, vegetables and specialty plants are available while supplies last.
Our next Young Patron event invites guests to learn to dance – 1920s style!
Learn the history behind The Elms gardens and grounds with Jim Donahue, Curator of Historic Landscapes.
SOLD OUT
Join Jeff Curtis, Director of Gardens & Landscapes, for a guided tour of the specimen trees on the Marble House grounds.
Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadets will get a chance to explore Green Animals Topiary Garden and earn a badge by completing activities. Presented in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England.
This exhibition examines the mind, ambition and legacy of America’s Dean of Architecture, who shaped Gilded Age America not only through the buildings he created – including The Breakers and Marble House – but also through his ideas.
Themed “A Floral Fair,” the 29th annual Show will combine the elegance of a Gilded Age fête with the good cheer of a summer county fair.
Grab your clubs for an unforgettable day on the greens at the Preservation Society’s Annual Golf Outing at Newport National Golf Club in Middletown, R.I., a challenging links-style course with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet Passage.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, guests and volunteers for another successful Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival. See you next year for the 20th annual festival, September 19-21, 2025, at Rosecliff. Become a Preservation Society member and receive early access to purchase 2025 tickets before they become available to the general public.
Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.
Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.
Partners in Preservation
