The Breakers
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| The Breakers | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Breakers |
| Location | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Architect | Richard Morris Hunt |
| Client | Cornelius Vanderbilt II |
| Opened | 1895 |
The Breakers, a National Historic Landmark, is a Gilded Age mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island, built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family. The estate was designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt and features an impressive collection of art and furnishings from Europe and Asia, including works by Raphael, Rubens, and Rembrandt. The Breakers is part of the Newport Mansions collection, which also includes The Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff, all of which were built during the Gilded Age for wealthy families like the Astor family and the Morgan family. The mansion has been compared to other famous estates like Biltmore Estate, built for George Vanderbilt II, and The Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson.
History
The Breakers was built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who was the president of the New York Central Railroad and a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family. The estate was constructed during the Gilded Age, a period of significant economic growth and social change in the United States, marked by the rise of industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan. The Breakers was one of several mansions built in Newport, Rhode Island, during this period, including The Elms, built for Edward Julius Berwind, and Marble House, built for Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. The estate has hosted many notable guests, including Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who were all friends of the Vanderbilt family and frequent visitors to Newport, Rhode Island.
Architecture
The Breakers was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, a prominent architect of the Gilded Age, who also designed other notable buildings like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the United States Capitol building. The mansion features a mix of Renaissance Revival and Baroque Revival styles, with a grand central staircase and a large music room designed for concerts and other social events. The estate's interior design was influenced by European and Asian styles, with furnishings and artwork from Italy, France, and China, including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Johannes Vermeer. The Breakers has been compared to other famous buildings like the White House, designed by James Hoban, and the Château de Versailles, built for Louis XIV of France.
Gardens_and_Grounds
The Breakers is situated on a 13-acre estate overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect who also designed Central Park and the Biltmore Estate. The estate features a variety of plant species from around the world, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and roses, as well as a large greenhouse and a conservatory. The Breakers has been recognized for its beautiful gardens and grounds, which have been compared to those of other famous estates like The Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.
Preservation_and_Tourism
The Breakers is now a museum and a popular tourist attraction, operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. The estate has been preserved to reflect its original appearance during the Gilded Age, with many of its original furnishings and artwork still in place. The Breakers has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other notable historic sites like the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors to The Breakers can take guided tours of the mansion and its gardens and grounds, and learn about the history of the Vanderbilt family and the Gilded Age.
Family_History
The Breakers was built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, who were known for their shipping and railroad interests. The estate remained in the Vanderbilt family for several generations, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, inheriting the property in the early 20th century. The Breakers has been associated with many notable members of the Vanderbilt family, including Alva Vanderbilt Belmont, a women's rights activist, and Gloria Vanderbilt, a fashion designer and artist. The estate has also been connected to other prominent families, including the Astor family and the Morgan family, who were all part of the social elite of Newport, Rhode Island during the Gilded Age.