The Breakers is the crown jewel among Newport, Rhode Island estates. This grand summer “cottage” of the Vanderbilt family is the most popular attraction in the entire state of Rhode Island, visited annually by over 450 thousand people. In this video, we’ll delve into its history, check on its abundant outdoor and indoor amenities, and discover the intricate peculiarities of this renowned symbol of the Gilded Age.
A Bit of History
First, what’s the Gilded Age? It was a period of showy materialism and apparent political corruption in the USA during the 1870s. The magnificent mansion was built in just two years, from 1893 to 1895. Despite the opulence, the Vanderbilt family used The Breakers primarily as a summer “cottage.” It was a place for the family to escape the heat of the city and enjoy the cooler climate of Newport.
The estate is huge, comprising 70 rooms. Its gross area is nearly one hundred thirty-eight thousand square feet, and there are sixty-two thousand square feet of living area on five floors.
Cornelius Vanderbilt II purchased the sprawling grounds in 1885 for 450 thousand dollars, which equals nearly 15 million dollars today. That was a hefty investment, but Cornelius Vanderbilt II was a wealthy man. His grandfather, Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, bequeathed him 5 million dollars, and his father, William Henry “Billy” Vanderbilt, bequeathed him around 70 million dollars. Cornelius Vanderbilt II was the president and chairman of the New York Central Railroad, and other members of the Vanderbilt family were among the top industrialists in America.
The Breakers cost approximately 12 million dollars to build in the late 19th century, which would be equivalent to around 370 million dollars today when adjusted for inflation.
Such a huge estate could accommodate several generations, but the owner built it for his own family. Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife, Alice Claypoole Gwynne, had seven children to care for, so they needed lots of space.
For more details, please check our video about The Breakers