Italianate Newport: Beechwood

Luigi Speranza

Beechwood is a "Gilded Age" estate located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island.

Built in 1851 for D. Parrish by A. J. Downing and C. Vaux, it later became the summer cottage of J. J. Astor family.

Before moving in, Mrs Astor hired Architect Richard Morris Hunt to do many renovations including the addition of ballroom to fit the famous "400".

Beechwood became the show place for many of Mrs. Astor's dinner parties. Beechwood also boasts a library, dinning room and a music room with wall paper imported from Paris. Once Mrs Astor passed away she left it to her son John Jacob Astor IV, who married his second wife Madeleine in its ballroom. Once John passed he left it to Madeleine,who turned the entire third floor into her own personal walk-in closet, once she died it was turned into Newport's only living history museum[1] and featured actors portraying the daily lives of those who inhabited, ran and cared for the estate. While run as a tourist attraction, the estate was marketed as Astors' Beechwood Mansion

During off-season months (February to May), servants of the Astor family provided tours of the estate as if they are still living in 1891. Visitors were considered to be "applicants" for a summer job on Mrs. Astor's staff, and may "apply" for any job they wish. Positions include: gardener, footman, butler, chef, housemaid, and many others. During the summer months while the Astor family is living in the mansion, Astor family members gave tours to guests as though they are members of the family's social circle, "The 400". Everyone living and working in the mansion believe it to be 1891 and act in character throughout the tour.[2]

The tour included two sides of the house: first, the family's side where the Astor's lived, and second, the servants side, which included kitchens and servants quarters, as well as an area for the children to live. Children of the family lived with the servants until the age of 17, when they were considered adults and fully prepared for social functions. Children of the family were quickly wed at the age of 18, or as soon as possible after reaching 18.

In January of 2010 the Beechwood Theatre Company was disbanded and the property was sold for 10.5 million to an anonymous buyer.[3] Virtually no employees were informed of who this anonymous buyer was, leaving the actors of the former theatre company unemployed and other long-time employees in limbo. Oracle Corp founder Lawrence Ellison, a yachtsman described as the fourth richest man in the world, has apparently purchased the fabled mansion. Ellison, who was in Newport during the summer of 2009 for training with his BMW/Oracle Racing, is linked to a deed filed at City Hall that documents the $10.5 million sale of the 39-room estate.[4]

[edit] References1.^ "Of all of Newport's mansions, Astors' Beechwood is the only living history museum."
2.^ [1][dead link]
3.^ "Astors Beechwood mansion in Newport may be sold for $10.5 million". The Providence Journal. 2010-01-01. http://www.projo.com/news/content/ASTORS_BEECHWOOD_01-01-10_6CGT68D_v24.346000a.html. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
4.^ "Deed links Oracle founder to Astors' Beechwood sale". The Providence Journal. 2010-01-07. http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/01/deed-links-oracle-founder-to-a.html. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
[hide]v · d · eMansions of Newport, Rhode Island

Preservation Society mansions The Breakers · Chateau-sur-Mer · Chepstow · The Elms · Isaac Bell House · Kingscote · Marble House · Rosecliff


Not owned by the Preservation Society Beechwood · Belcourt Castle · The Carey Mansion · Hammersmith Farm · Miramar · Ochre Court · Rough Point · Vernon Court


Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechwood_(mansion)"
View page ratingsRate this page
Rate this page
Page ratings
What's this?Current average ratings.
Trustworthy

Objective

Complete

Well-written

I am highly knowledgeable about this topic (optional)
I have a relevant college/university degreeIt is part of my professionIt is a deep personal passionThe source of my knowledge is not listed here I would like to help improve Wikipedia, send me an e-mail (optional) We will send you a confirmation e-mail. We will not share your address with anyone. (Privacy policy)Submit ratings

Saved successfullyYour ratings have not been submitted yetYour ratings have expiredPlease reevaluate this page and submit new ratings.
An error has occured. Please try again later.
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.Please take a moment to complete a short survey.Start surveyMaybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.Do you want to create an account?An account will help you track your edits, get involved in discussions, and be a part of the community.Create an accountorLog inMaybe later
Thanks! Your ratings have been saved.Did you know that you can edit this page?Edit this pageMaybe later Categories: 1851 architecture | Italianate architecture in Rhode Island | Richard Morris Hunt buildings | Historic house museums in Rhode Island | Museums in Newport, Rhode Island
Hidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from December 2010