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Beechwood MansionNewport's only living history museumThe Beechwood Mansion experience is unlike any you'll have at the other Newport Rhode Island mansions. What else would you expect at the summer home of a woman who insisted on being called "The Mrs. Astor" by her family and friends?In addition to enjoying the mansion's elegance and its stunning views of the ocean and Newport Cliff Walk, you'll be taken back in time to 1891 and treated like a member of "The 400", Mrs. Astor's elite social circle.
UPDATE 2010Larry Ellison, the billionaire founder of Oracle, purchased Beechwood mansion earlier this year for $10.5 million.The bad news is that the mansion is no longer open to the public for tours or available for weddings and other functions. The good news is that this could be a good sign that Ellison (and his BMW-Oracle Racing team) are favoring Newport as the host of the America's Cup races! We'll keep our fingers crossed and provide updates once any decisions are made. ***Please note that I've decided to leave the remainder of this page as it was when Beechwood was open to the public. The mansion is no longer open for tours or available for functions. :( Beechwood was purchased by William Backhouse Astor, Jr. (grandson of John Jacob Astor) in 1881. He spent $2 million renovating the property to make it suitable for hosting lavish summer events. William's wife Caroline, the undisputed queen of American society, would spend 8 weeks a year here during the summer. She hosted amazing parties for those fortunate enough to be included in the elite list of "400" that she and Ward McAllister created. For over two decades, Beechwood Mansion was the epicenter of Gilded Age festivities. In some ways, it continues to be so to this day.
If you visit during the off-season, you'll be applying for a position on the domestic staff. You'll be led around the house by the maids, and get to see what life is really like working for "The Mrs. Astor".
There is ample space for your guests inside in the receiving room, ballroom, formal dining room, music room and morning room. This location can comfortably seat 100-150 guests inside, and many more outside on the terrace and expansive lawn.
580 Bellevue Avenue 401-846-3772
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