Marble House closed May 1-26. Open daily starting May 27.
10 a.m.- 5 p.m. House & grounds close one hour after last tour admission.
Tours of Marble House are self-guided using the free Newport Mansions audio tour app. For the best tour experience, download the app before your visit and bring your earbuds! In addition to our regular tour, the Children's Tour is geared to our young visitors under 13 is also available for download. Guests without a smart device will be provided with a paper tour script. Go to your app store, and search for "Newport Mansions" identified with the green pineapple icon and download the app.
Apple: App Store Android: Google Play
- Dining Options
- Free parking.
- Marble House is partially accessible with elevator in service.
Take a virtual tour of Marble House by clicking here
Watch a video about Marble House
Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage," as Newporters called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces.
Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family's fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His older brother was Cornelius II, who built The Breakers. Alva Vanderbilt was a leading hostess in Newport society, and envisioned Marble House as her "temple to the arts" in America.
The house was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost of the house was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Upon its completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife as a 39th birthday present.
The Vanderbilts had three children: Consuelo, who became the 9th Duchess of Marlborough; William K., Jr., a prominent figure in pioneering the sport of auto racing in America; and Harold, one of the finest yachtsmen of his era who successfully defended the America's Cup three times.
The Vanderbilts divorced in 1895 and Alva married Oliver H.P. Belmont, moving down the street to Belcourt. After his death, she reopened Marble House and had a Chinese Tea House built on the seaside cliffs of the property, where she hosted rallies for women's right to vote. She sold Marble House to Frederick H. Prince in 1932. The Preservation Society acquired the house in 1963 from the Prince estate. In 2006, Marble House was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Marble House Children's Tour
Our new audio Marble House Children’s Tour is designed for children under 13, and introduces kids to the great house from a unique and whimsical perspective. A professional voice actor plays the role of Marble House – Alva Vanderbilt’s fourth child – guiding visitors from room to room, telling stories in a friendly voice while introducing various characters along the way, like Apollo the Sun God, bragging about his curly hair. Hear the Vanderbilt children laughing as they speak French during lunch in the dining room. Enjoy the music of angels entertaining a collection of unlikely neighbors, including a lobster and a dragon. Listen to a news boy excitedly yell “EXTRA,” as he sells newspapers featuring a breaking story about Marble House during its construction.
Please note: The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff and Green Animals Topiary Garden are partially wheelchair accessible. For detailed information about access for visitors with special needs, please call (401) 847-1000 or email info@newportmansions.org.
OPERATING SCHEDULE
Your support for our virtual tours is appreciated.
