The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island
Colonial House
Colonial Newport
After being founded in 1639, by Colonists in pursuit of religious freedom, Newport grew to be one of the most important Colonial ports in New England. As the largest deep water port along the eastern seaboard, Newport became a busy trading hub. Newport was an important 18th-century trading port, with Newporters growing rich on the Caribbean trade of sugar, molasses, and rum, and the manufacture of candles and oil made from spermaceti oil brought in by the whaling ships. At one point, at the height of trade in the 1700’s, Newport was home to over 22 rum distilleries, and 17 manufacturers of refined whale oil and candles. A Colonial town sprung up around the harbor including wealthy sea captain’s and merchant’s homes built along the harbor front, with docks leading out from their front doors facing the waters. Behind the harbor front, narrow Colonial roads were filled with cottages of the many tradesmen needed to support the burgeoning businesses. Newport, as a wealthy trading city, was effectively blockaded during the Revolutionary War by the British, bringing Newport to a halt. Much of Newport today is as Newport was in Colonial times, and the city still features one of the largest groups of Colonial buildings in the U.S. still standing and in use.
Marble House
Gilded Age
Recognized as a location where cooling thermal winds blew across the island, which reduced temperatures during long hot summers before air conditioning, Newport at the turn of the 19th century, become a destination for the wealthy to “summer”. The wealthy first arrived to “summer” from southern U.S. locales, and then from New York City and beyond, until Newport grew to a fashionable summer location for the wealthy. The same thermal winds that created a cooler temperature on the island also provided excellent sailing conditions. This drew the wealthy to Newport for yachting and began Newport’s long-lived relationship with yachting and the America’s Cup Races. Large mansions, known as “Summer Cottages,” sprang up on the top of the hill in Newport, in one of the first mansion “subdivisions.” Many of these were built along Bellevue Avenue, the road on top of the highest ridge in Newport. Homes were not only cooled by the winds when located on the top of the ridge, the inhabitants also had a terrific view of Newport Harbor to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Many famous wealthy families that built mansions in Newport during the Gilded Age, came to Newport for several months during each summer for a very active social life, such as the Belmonts, Vanderbilts, Astors, and Wideners. With the advent of income tax and World War I, the Gilded Age came to an end in Newport, with many of the mansions abandoned or boarded up. Today many of the mansions have been restored to their former glory, including housing original interior furnishings, by the Newport Preservation Society.
Newport Historic Harbor
City of “Firsts”
With such a varied and long history, it is no wonder that Newport boasts many claims for “Firsts”, which are now the “Oldest” in the U.S. Important “Firsts” are the oldest Jewish Synagogue, The Touro Synagogue, the oldest state house still standing, The Old Colony House, and the oldest tavern continuously in use to today, The White Horse Tavern. The Artillery Company of Newport was formed by King George II in 1741 and is the oldest continuously operating Artillery Company in the U.S. In 1798, the Artillery Company ordered cannons from a foundry owned by Paul Revere, which are still being fired today, and are housed between firings at the Artillery Company Museum.
Old Colony House
If your luxury yacht charter brings to you Newport, be sure to spend time in this lovely harbor, and tour Gilded Age “Summer Cottages”, dine in front of the fireplace in Colonial ambiance at the White Horse Tavern, visit the Touro Synagogue, and wander the little narrow streets of Colonial Newport clustered around the still bustling Newport Harbor, perhaps stopping in at the Artillery Company Museum to see the original cannons ordered for Newport from Paul Revere. All of this and more awaits to be discovered in Newport Rhode Island when on a crewed luxury yacht charter in southern New England.
White House Tavern
