The breakers

The Breakers!

The Breakers is a National Historic Landmark located in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It was the grand summer "cottage" of the Vanderbilt family, one of the wealthiest families in the United States during the Gilded Age.

Here are some interesting facts about The Breakers:

  1. Built in 1895: The Breakers was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and built by the Vanderbilt family, specifically Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who was the grandson of the Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, the founder of the family's shipping and railroad empire.
  2. Mansion: The Breakers is a 70-room French Renaissance-style chateau, with a total floor area of over 60,000 square feet. It features a grand staircase, ornate ceilings, and intricate woodwork.
  3. Vanderbilt family: The Breakers was the summer home of the Vanderbilt family, who would host lavish parties and social events there. The family would often spend the summer months in Newport, enjoying the beach, yachting, and socializing with other wealthy families.
  4. Design and architecture: The Breakers was designed to be a grand, imposing structure that would reflect the family's wealth and status. The building features a mix of French Renaissance and Romanesque Revival styles, with a grand facade, towers, and a large courtyard.
  5. Restoration: After the Vanderbilt family stopped using the mansion as their summer home, it fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, the Preservation Society of Newport County acquired the property and undertook a major restoration project to restore the mansion to its original grandeur.
  6. Museum: Today, The Breakers is a museum operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Visitors can take guided tours of the mansion, which includes many of the original furnishings and decorations.
  7. Gardens: The Breakers also features beautiful gardens, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed the gardens at Central Park in New York City.

The Breakers is an iconic symbol of the Gilded Age and a testament to the opulence and extravagance of the Vanderbilt family. If you ever find yourself in Newport, Rhode Island, it's definitely worth a visit!