What Happened to the Largest Mansion in Newport? (The Breakers)

The height of the Gilded Age was characterized by extreme opulence, not to be outdone by the Vanderbilt Family.

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Location: Newport RI

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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress
Music from: Epidemic Sound
Assets from: Envato Elements

[jimwiskus]

We were there the first week of December 2022. All the mansions on Bellevue Ave are beyond astounding. I do think The Breakers was my favorite. We toured the mansion on one day. Just inside the gate beyond the caretakers home is the children’s playhouse. We couldn’t go inside, but it’s built with same stone and care, as the mansion, complete with functional windows, gutters & fireplace. It seemed bigger than the house I grew up in. I think anyone could live in the playhouse just fine. On another day we did the underground tour. It begins at the gate, in the caretakers house, about three flights down. All the heat, freshwater & seawater traveled 350 to 400 feet to the mansion. They bought 250 tons of coal a year to heat the mansion, even though the Vanderbilts were only there 8 - 10 weeks out of the year, usually July to early September. Everything had to be kept going in their absence especially during the winter months. When the family was set to return to The Breakers, cleaning crews would have started making preparations beginning about the middle of May. Most of the time was spent cleaning. If you ever get a chance to go to Newport RI, you have to visit the mansions. While we were there, we could only see three that were open, The Elms, Marble House and The Breakers. You won’t be disappointed, just left in awe.

[ShirleyMcDonald-jf]

I visited “The Breakers” in the late 1990s, having seen it for the first time in 1978. It remained awe inspiring. So
beautiful and grand after standing for
over a hundred years. At that time it
cost $100, 000 yearly to maintain it
— I know because I asked our tour guide this question. We are fortunate
to have this grand home from the Gilded Age! Thanks for the posting.

[christopherkraft]

This opulent mansion is stunning!!! I'm glad that it's open to the public & lives on!!!
Merry Christmas!!! 🎄⛄🤶

[laffertg]

My wife and I toured the Breakers in 2016. I could rave all day about it, but you have to see it in person. It’s breathtaking

[jrucker]

I was born a few towns over, we used to do the Newport Christmas tours every year. There are very few things as beautiful as that front gate covered in snow.

[jared]

Everyone deserves a mo dest cottage to escape. The Grand Hall is my favorite room but the decor in all the other rooms is anxiety inducing. Thanks for another great video!

[Rp-keji]

It's one of my favorite places on the planet. The architecture is magnificent, truly a work of art that everyone should experience.

[janicecopeland]

Sadly, this scale of beauty and detail will never be built again.

[LJB]

You have a photo of his brother Willie K. labeled as his father, William Henry (that's W.H in the painting on the stairs). Cornelius had already owned the original Breakers for 7 years when it burned (purchased 1885, burned 1892). A cleaning and rehab of the music room uncovered that the "silver" is actually platinum leaf! During a talk during the centennial celebration of the cottage Countess Szapary talked about her mother (Gladys) and her siblings sliding down the main staircase on a silver waiter. What intrigued me the first time I toured was the hot and cold running fresh and salt water in the bathrooms. You used to get to the 2nd floor via the main stairs, now tours use the back stairs. Informative and enjoyable video.

[glennmcgee]

This summer cottage was the first I visited in 2010 during a walking tour and was immediately awestruck when approaching the main gate. Each opulent room I entered was a wonderful testament to the craftsmen's ability to fulfill the design choices of the owner and architect.

[michaelshaw]

a visit during the holidays is a must. so beautifully decorated.

[nans]

I'm originally from Rhode Island. I never went on a tour of these geourgious cottages until I was an adult. And moved to a different state. My 1st one was Marble house in the late 80s. And my husband and I on vacation in 2018, visited the breakers and Rosecliff. I enjoy the history of these homes as much as the opulence of them. It was sad the hear the last of the Vanderbilt family living in the Breakers were forced to leave. They didn't own it. But we're allowed to live in the 3rd story apartment, untill they disapproved of the gift shop/ welcome center bing built on the property. Gloria Vanderbilt before her death also disapproved .

[edwarddantoni]

A correction, the Vanderbilts purchased and summered in the original property and I believe were present when the fire broke out. That is why Cornelius had the new house built practically fire proof with that kitchen in its own wing.

[jst]

I visited Newport and marveled at the several mansions that you can tour. Thank goodness for the preservation society who maintains all of the m mansions. The only exception at the time of my visit was the Astor mansion which was still privately owned. But you could still tour. In fact in order to assit financially, they had actors living there and put on murder mystery theatre. FANTASTIC! Since then the Duke mansion is open to the public.

[josephteller]

Forgot to mention it was one of the first mansions down there to be wired for electricity. I toured it years ago with a class group. There's an elevator (which was a new concept in private homes), electric lighting in side and out, and a communication system in the Butlers Pantry so that staff can be called from nearly every room in the place.

[jameswilkins]

It's been 45 - 50 years since I visited the Breakers. Aside from the shear size and opulence what I still remember is that at least some of the bath tubs had hot and cold running salt and fresh water. Also the fixtures were gold plated.

[nonadeplume]

The Vanderbilt family went big or stayed on the porch! This home is as lovely as Biltmore!

[mr.x]

I went there in 2019. Still a lot of restoration projects going on outside. The great hall could easily double as a ballroom.

[agentofficerthomasa.porter]

In My Youth Our Family Went There & For The Most Part The Interior Was In Great Shape. I Always Thought, "How Do They Ever Keep This Place Warm In The Fall/Winter & Early Spring?" The On SIte Manager Told Me, "With All Fireplaces Going". There Was A Time The Rich Summer Homes You Could Drive Up & Walk Around & If Anyone Was Working On Them, They Would Let You Go In & Walk Around. Great Memories. Would Never Want A Place Like Any Of Them Today. People Have To Realize, You Get ILL When These Houses Were Built & Lived In, There Were Not The Medications Of Today, You Just Died. Proves The Point Of Reality, There Is Not Enough Money To Ever Keep Any Of Them Alive Back Then.

[stefmercs]

Hi Ken, thanks for another good video. As there is so much information out there about the Breakers, it’s easy to spot some simple mistakes, others have pointed out at the pictures and the original property ownership, also the current Breakers is Italianate, not Beaux Art (like the Elms for example). Also, as again there is so much information and the house is still standing and accessible, maybe you could change the format a little and extend the duration. It always feels so rushed, you speak really fast and the pictures (which are full of incredible details) come and go so quickly that I always have to pause to look at them for a few seconds longer. I appreciate today’s taste is for something zippy and fast, but people looking at videos about old mansions may actually prefer a slightly slower pace. Please take it into account. Overall though, it’s always a pleasure to watch your vids.