ThoughtGallery.org > ‘Splendor by the Sea: Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age’ Webinar

‘Splendor by the Sea: Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age’ Webinar

Newport, Rhode Island wasn’t just any American resort town of the late 19th century and early 20th century — it was the destination for the phenomenally rich to spend their summers. Picture magnificent marble palaces, luxuriant gardens, and large shimmering yachts in the harbor; or the elite’s fancy carriages parading up and down Newport’s main street to get to their important appointments like an afternoon of tea time and tennis or a lavish ball to show-off custom-made gowns and priceless jewels; or of families so wealthy and powerful that European nobles and aristocrats visited to seek the hand of American heiresses to save their own crumbling ancestral homes in need of American cash. This is the story of Newport, Rhode Island, the highest step of the social ladder — the “Queen of Resort’s.”

Join New York Adventure Club for a digital exploration of the magnificent mansions and families of Newport, Rhode Island, America’s most elite summer playground during the Gilded Age.

Led by historian Gary Lawrance, our virtual look at Newport through rare archival images and stories written by those who lived it first-hand will include:

  • Early and modern views of the most famous mansions, including The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms, Marble House, and Chateau Sur Mer  — see floor plans and unbuilt designs that even the Vanderbilt’s felt were too big!
  • An overview of the powerful old money and “Nouveau Riche” families that visited each year, including the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and Goelets.
  • A virtual stroll up and down Bellevue Avenue, Newport’s main street, with period maps showing where some of the lost mansions once stood.
  • Sights and stories from within the gates of dazzling Newport villas, from the famous Ball Blanc, to the elaborate Dogs Dinner, to one game played after a dinner party that involved guests using Tiffany & Co. silver trowels to search for emeralds, diamonds, and rubies in a sandbox running the length of the table.
  • The faded glory years when no one wanted the mansions, which became known as “White Elephants,” and how tireless preservationists saved many of the mansions from the wrecking ball.
  • Movies and television shows made in Newport and the mansions.

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Gary — any and all questions about the Newport mansions and Gilded Age are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually! $10.

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Gary

Architect, Author, and Historian Gary Lawrance is an architect from Stony Brook, New York. His firm, Lawrance Architectural Presentations, provides design presentations, architectural models, digital renderings, and design development services to architects, landscape architects and interior designers.

Mr. Lawrance has an extensive background in the history of Gilded Age architecture, landscapes, and society, and co-authored the bestselling book, “Houses of the Hamptons 1880-1930” with Anne Surchin (Acanthus Press 2007, Revised 3rd Printing 2013).

Mr. Lawrance’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Newsday, New York Social Diary, Southampton Press, and more. Mr. Lawrance has written for Architectural Digest, Dan’s Papers, Quest magazine, and his two blogs, Mansions of the Gilded Age and Houses of the Hamptons in addition to founding and contributing to the two very successful Facebook groups, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society with over 160,000 members combined. Mr. Lawrance also manages two equally popular Instagram accounts, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society.











When: Thu., Feb. 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: No Location
Via livestream

Price: $10
Buy tickets/get more info now
See other events in these categories:

Newport, Rhode Island wasn’t just any American resort town of the late 19th century and early 20th century — it was the destination for the phenomenally rich to spend their summers. Picture magnificent marble palaces, luxuriant gardens, and large shimmering yachts in the harbor; or the elite’s fancy carriages parading up and down Newport’s main street to get to their important appointments like an afternoon of tea time and tennis or a lavish ball to show-off custom-made gowns and priceless jewels; or of families so wealthy and powerful that European nobles and aristocrats visited to seek the hand of American heiresses to save their own crumbling ancestral homes in need of American cash. This is the story of Newport, Rhode Island, the highest step of the social ladder — the “Queen of Resort’s.”

Join New York Adventure Club for a digital exploration of the magnificent mansions and families of Newport, Rhode Island, America’s most elite summer playground during the Gilded Age.

Led by historian Gary Lawrance, our virtual look at Newport through rare archival images and stories written by those who lived it first-hand will include:

  • Early and modern views of the most famous mansions, including The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms, Marble House, and Chateau Sur Mer  — see floor plans and unbuilt designs that even the Vanderbilt’s felt were too big!
  • An overview of the powerful old money and “Nouveau Riche” families that visited each year, including the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and Goelets.
  • A virtual stroll up and down Bellevue Avenue, Newport’s main street, with period maps showing where some of the lost mansions once stood.
  • Sights and stories from within the gates of dazzling Newport villas, from the famous Ball Blanc, to the elaborate Dogs Dinner, to one game played after a dinner party that involved guests using Tiffany & Co. silver trowels to search for emeralds, diamonds, and rubies in a sandbox running the length of the table.
  • The faded glory years when no one wanted the mansions, which became known as “White Elephants,” and how tireless preservationists saved many of the mansions from the wrecking ball.
  • Movies and television shows made in Newport and the mansions.

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Gary — any and all questions about the Newport mansions and Gilded Age are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually! $10.

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Gary

Architect, Author, and Historian Gary Lawrance is an architect from Stony Brook, New York. His firm, Lawrance Architectural Presentations, provides design presentations, architectural models, digital renderings, and design development services to architects, landscape architects and interior designers.

Mr. Lawrance has an extensive background in the history of Gilded Age architecture, landscapes, and society, and co-authored the bestselling book, “Houses of the Hamptons 1880-1930” with Anne Surchin (Acanthus Press 2007, Revised 3rd Printing 2013).

Mr. Lawrance’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Newsday, New York Social Diary, Southampton Press, and more. Mr. Lawrance has written for Architectural Digest, Dan’s Papers, Quest magazine, and his two blogs, Mansions of the Gilded Age and Houses of the Hamptons in addition to founding and contributing to the two very successful Facebook groups, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society with over 160,000 members combined. Mr. Lawrance also manages two equally popular Instagram accounts, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society.

Buy tickets/get more info now