'The Breakers'

 'The Breakers', the Cornelius Vanderbilt II estate designed by Richard Morris Hunt c. 1893 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Vanderbilt was the eldest son of Commodore Vanderbilt's eldest son William Henry Vanderbilt.  C.V. II built 'The Breakers' on the site of Pierre Lorillard IV's residence of the same name which burned in 1892.  Following C.V. II's death in 1899 the house passed to his widow Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt and following her death in 1934 to their daughter Countess Gladys Szechenyi.  The Preservation Society of Newport County began leasing the house in 1948 and purchased it in 1972.  Click HERE for more on 'The Breakers'.  Click HERE to see the estate on google earth and HERE on bing.

Photos from Architectural Record, 1895.

'Castlewood'

 'Castlewood', the Mrs. Josephine Bruguiere estate designed by Edward Payson Whitman c. 1905 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Bruguiere, the daughter of Peder Sather, founder of the Sather Banking Co. in San Francisco, moved to Newport with her son Louis around the time they built 'Castlewood'.  In 1915 the two were aboard the SS Arabic on their way from Europe to Cedarhurst, Long Island when the ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.  Louis survived but his mother did not.  The previous year the Bruguieres lost the house to foreclosure and 'Castlewood' was purchased by Arnold W. Essex.  The residence has since been demolished.

Photos from American Homes and Gardens, 1908.

'Armsea Hall'

 'Armsea Hall', originally the General Francis Vinton Greene estate designed by Frances Laurens Vinton Hoppin of Hoppin & Koen c. 1901 on Ocean Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island but pictured here under the ownership of Charles Frederick Hoffman.  Hoffman was President of the Union Club and Treasurer of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  He died at 'Armsea Hall' at the age of 63 in 1919 and the estate was passed on to his wife.  The following decades saw a series of owners and the estate was eventually purchased for development.  'Armsea Hall' was demolished c. 1969.  Click HERE for an early 1930s aerial photo.

Photos from American Homes and Gardens, 1906.

'The Elms'

 'The Elms', the Edward J. Berwind estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1899 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Berwind was president of the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company and later chairman of the board.  Since 1962 'The Elms' has been open to the public and run by the Preservation Society of Newport County.  Click HERE to see 'The Elms' on google earth and HERE on bing.

Photos from Architecture, 1901.

'Claradon Court'

'Claradon Court', the Edward C. Knight Jr. estate designed by Horace Trumbauer c. 1904 in Newport, Rhode Island. Knight named the house for his wife, Clara Dwight (which would have made her Clara Dwight Knight). The estate was later owned by Col. William Hayward who changed the name to 'Clarendon Court'. Click HERE to see 'Claradon Court' on google earth and HERE on bing. The estate is currently for sale for $15,800,000, click HERE to see the listing via Gustave White.

Photos from Architectural Review, 1908.

The End of 'Whiteholme'

Above, 'Whiteholme', the Mrs. Henry Barton Jacobs estate designed by John Russell Pope c. 1901 in Newport, Rhode Island, as seen in 1960 during the ownership of Annette Townsend Philips. Below, 'Whiteholme' as it appeared in April 1963 in the days immediately preceding total demolition. Much of the interior carved paneling was purchased by the Tinney family for their collection at 'Belcourt Castle'. Click HERE and HERE for more on 'Whiteholme'. A tremendous thank you to Old Grey Dog for not only taking all these photos and sharing them but for having the foresight to wander through the half demolished house with a camera.

The view towards the library.

Looking out the front door.

The circular entrance hall.

The view of the entrance hall from halfway up the staircase.

Looking out the library towards the salon-living room.

The salon windows from the terrace.

Looking out the salon windows.

The view south.

The salon with the reception and dining rooms in the distance.