Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport’s Transformation Walking Tour

Explore Newport’s Historic Transformation for $20

The Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport’s Transformation Walking Tour offers a detailed look into how Newport evolved from its colonial roots into a summer playground for America’s elite during the Gilded Age. Priced at $20 per person, this 1-hour to 1-hour-20-minute guided walk takes visitors through the city’s most significant historic sites and architectural landmarks. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides with a passion for Newport’s history, making it ideal for those interested in architecture, local lore, and American history.

The tour begins at the Museum of Newport History, where admission is included. As part of the experience, visitors receive a 10% discount on purchases at the museum shop. The tour’s small group size (maximum 18 travelers) ensures a more personal and engaging experience. While parking fees and museum admission to the Newport Art Museum are not included, the tour itself provides a rundown of Newport’s past, making it a highly valued choice for history enthusiasts.

Key Points

• Affordable and Well-Structured: Priced at only $20, with a duration of about one hour to 1 hour 20 minutes.
• In-Depth Historic Stops: Includes visits to landmark houses, cemeteries, and cultural institutions.
• Expert Guides: Led by guides with a passion for Newport’s history, ensuring engaging storytelling.
• Includes Museum Access: Admission to the Museum of Newport History is included, with a shop discount.
• Focus on Architectural and Cultural Evolution: From the colonial Buliod-Perry house to Gilded Age mansions.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to 18 travelers, fostering interaction and personalized attention.

Starting Point at the Museum of Newport History

The tour departs from the Museum of Newport History & Shop at 127 Thames Street. Visitors check in here, with the museum’s second-floor space not included in the walking tour, so arriving early or returning after the tour allows additional museum exploration. The tour begins promptly at 11:00 am, ensuring a relaxed morning exploration.

The meeting point is centrally located in Newport, with close proximity to public transportation and walkable to many local attractions. The tour ends at Touro Park, a short walk back to the museum, making it convenient for those planning further sightseeing or dining.

Discover Newport’s Architectural Gems

One of the tour’s main highlights is the visit to 85 Touro Street, home to the Levi Gale house, an excellent example of period architecture. The guide explains how houses in early Newport were moved and reassembled, revealing local building techniques and urban development practices of the time.

At 100 Touro Street, visitors learn about Irish immigrants who contributed significantly to Newport’s growth by establishing Rhode Island’s first Catholic church and participating in the city’s early cemeteries. These stories provide insight into the diverse communities that shaped Newport’s history.

The tour also covers influential figures like Alfred Smith, a N ew York tailor-turned-real estate developer, whose vision transformed Newport from a hotel-based tourism destination into a hub of private summer residences, setting the stage for the opulence of the Gilded Age.

Architectural Styles and Local Pioneers

Walking along Bellevue Avenue, the guide highlights Dudley Newton, a prominent 19th-century architect known for designing over 100 buildings and creating the Newton Roof. His daring designs contributed to Newport’s distinctive skyline. The tour also examines the transformation of a small Federal-style hotel into an exclusive men’s club designed by George Champlin Mason Sr., which played a role in the city’s social scene and the founding of the Newport Casino.

Visitors get an outside view of the Newport Art Museum’s Griswold House, the first Newport commission for Richard Morris Hunt, one of Gilded Age architecture’s most influential figures. The Redwood Library & Athenaeum is also featured, illustrating Newport’s mid-19th-century revival as a center of cultural and intellectual life.

Historic Sites and Cultural Institutions

A visit to Touro Jewish Cemetery gives insight into the Jewish community’s long history in Newport, dating back to the 17th century. The tour emphasizes how different immigrant groups contributed to Newport’s development, especially in its religious and cultural institutions.

The tour includes a stop at the Old Stone Mill in Touro Park, where stories about Matthew C. Perry and the Atlantic House Hotel—which hosted the U.S. Naval Academy during the Civil War—provide context for Newport’s strategic and social importance during different periods.

The Role of Hotels and Hospitality in Newport’s Gilded Age

Before the grand mansions, Newport was known for its great hotels, such as the Ocean House near Hotel Viking. These luxurious accommodations attracted notable artists, writers, and wealthy visitors. The tour explores how these hotels laid the groundwork for Newport’s reputation as a summer enclave for the affluent, with stories about the city’s hospitality industry shaping its identity.

Architectural Pioneers and Their Contributions

The architecture along 20 Bellevue Avenue features Dudley Newton’s innovative designs, showcasing his daring experimentation and invention of the Newton Roof. The tour discusses how Newton’s work helped define Newport’s architectural landscape, blending traditional styles with creative innovations.

At 29 Bellevue Avenue, the guide explains the evolution of a Federal-style hotel into a men’s club designed by George Mason Sr. This building played a role in Newport’s social fabric, influencing the city’s cultural and architectural history, and contributed to the creation of the Newport Casino.

Cultural and Artistic Heritage

Outside the Newport Art Museum, the guide points out the significance of the Griswold House, highlighting its connection to Richard Morris Hunt’s early work in Newport. This adds a layer of appreciation for Newport’s contribution to American architectural history and its cultural landscape.

The Redwood Library & Athenaeum stands as a symbol of Newport’s intellectual revival, emphasizing the city’s importance as a center of learning and culture during the Golden Age.

Concluding the Tour at Touro Park

The tour concludes at Touro Park, a historic area known for the Old Stone Mill. Here, the tour wraps up with stories about Matthew C. Perry, famous for opening Japan to the West, and the historic Atlantic House Hotel. This final stop offers a well-rounded overview of Newport’s strategic, social, and architectural history as a thriving colonial and Gilded Age city.

This Tour’s Strengths and Limitations

The Golden to Gilded Age Newport Walking Tour excels in offering a comprehensive yet accessible look at Newport’s history through its architecture, notable figures, and cultural sites. Its inclusion of the Museum of Newport History as a starting point adds depth, and the small group size enhances interaction with the guide.

The primary limitation is the walking and standing required during the tour, which may pose challenges for visitors with mobility issues. Also, the self-guided visit to the Newport Art Museum is not included in the tour price, with an additional admission fee of $15 per adult.

Final Thoughts: A Rich Snapshot of Newport’s Past

This tour provides a solid introduction to Newport’s evolution from its colonial foundations to its Gilded Age grandeur. Its affordable price point and expert guides make it a compelling choice for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

While it may not cover every mansion or detail, it offers enough stories and landmarks to give a meaningful understanding of how Newport became the iconic summer destination it is today. The focus on local architecture, significant historical figures, and cultural institutions ensures a well-rounded experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
The tour involves walking and standing for long periods, so it may not be ideal for those with mobility challenges.

Are museum tickets included?
Yes, admission to the Museum of Newport History is included, along with a 10% discount on the shop.

How long does the tour last?
The tour typically lasts between one hour and twenty minutes, making it a manageable and informative outing.

What is the starting point?
The tour begins at the Museum of Newport History & Shop at 127 Thames Street and ends at Touro Park.

What is the cost for visiting the Newport Art Museum?
Admission to the Newport Art Museum is not included in the tour and costs $15 per adult (or less for seniors), with free entry for youth 17 and under.

This Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport Tour offers a balanced mix of history, architecture, and local stories, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a meaningful introduction to Newport’s fascinating past.