Review:

Visiting the grand mansions built in Newport during the city's Gilded Age is one of the most popular tourist activities. To bring to life the history of the Breakers, the Marble House, the Elms, and Rosecliff, the Preservation Society of Newport County prepared a series of self-guided audio tours of these mansions that are included in the price of admission.

The tours allow you to see and learn about personal letters, diaries, records, and oral histories and offer personal stories of the people who lived in each mansion and the staff who took care of them. You can listen to Alva Vanderbilt talk about how she helped design the architectural masterpiece Marble House. You also have the opportunity to hear fascinating personal accounts of life at the Elms, which was built for entertaining and to showcase the art. The audio tour at Rosecliff will bring to life the colorful history of lively society hostess Tessie Oelrichs.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-847-1000, Map

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