The Elms | Newport RI

The Elms is one of Newport’s most graceful and refined Gilded Age mansions, a study in French elegance and American confidence. Completed in 1901 for Edward Julius Berwind, a Pennsylvania coal magnate, the estate reflects both the opulence of the era and the precision of European design. Standing along Bellevue Avenue, it exudes symmetry, restraint, and a quiet grandeur that contrasts the flamboyance of some of its neighbors.

Origins and Design

Edward and Herminie Berwind commissioned architect Horace Trumbauer to design a residence inspired by the Château d’Asnières, an 18th-century French country house near Paris. Trumbauer, known for his mastery of Beaux-Arts architecture, produced a limestone masterpiece that mirrored French classical ideals-balanced proportions, clean lines, and understated ornamentation.

Construction began in 1899, and two years later, The Elms opened as a summer retreat that rivaled any palace in Europe. The estate cost over $1.4 million, a fortune at the time, and was celebrated for its technical sophistication: it had one of the earliest complete electrical systems in Newport, hidden elevators for servants, and concealed heating ducts designed for silent comfort.

Interior Elegance

The mansion’s interior radiates harmony and refinement. Each room follows a clear architectural rhythm, filled with European art and antique furnishings collected by Berwind on his travels.

The Ballroom occupies the heart of the house-a glittering space with gilded panels, mirrored walls, and ceiling frescoes that create an illusion of endless light.

The Dining Room, adorned with green marble pilasters and crystal chandeliers, was designed for grand dinners where up to 50 guests could dine amid silver and crystal.

The Drawing Room and Library display a more intimate luxury, their silk wall coverings, carved woodwork, and delicate moldings creating a sense of cultivated ease.

The Conservatory, lined with tall glass windows, opens directly to the gardens, filling the house with natural light and the faint scent of flowers.

Even the service areas-located in the basement-reflect remarkable attention to detail. A network of hidden corridors, mechanical lifts, and an underground coal delivery system allowed the house to operate smoothly without disturbing guests, an innovation considered revolutionary for its time.

Gardens and Grounds

The Elms’ grounds, designed by Ernest W. Bowditch, stretch across ten acres of terraces, fountains, and statuary that evoke the formality of 18th-century French gardens. The central allée leads through manicured hedges to a marble and bronze fountain, while marble pavilions and sculptures punctuate the lawns.

Behind the mansion, a broad terrace overlooks a descending cascade framed by marble balustrades and shaded elms-the trees that gave the estate its name. On summer afternoons, the reflection of light on water and stone adds a soft glow to the landscape, making it one of the most photogenic spots in Newport.

The Berwinds and Their Era

Edward Berwind was a disciplined and reserved man, known for his business acumen and for maintaining strict standards of etiquette. Unlike the Vanderbilts, who sought social spectacle, the Berwinds preferred controlled refinement. Their soirées were elegant but measured, focused on art, music, and intellectual conversation rather than ostentation.

After Edward’s death in 1936, his sister Julia Berwind continued to live in The Elms, maintaining the mansion exactly as it had been for decades. When she died in 1961, the house faced demolition-but was saved through public fundraising and purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County, ensuring its survival as a historic landmark.

Visitor Experience

Today, The Elms offers a serene glimpse into Newport’s Gilded Age with audio tours and special access to the servants’ quarters, a fascinating look at the behind-the-scenes machinery of luxury. Walking through the corridors, visitors can almost hear the muted footsteps of butlers and housemaids moving through hidden staircases.

The gardens remain one of the estate’s most enchanting features-particularly in the golden light of late afternoon, when shadows stretch across the marble balustrades and the sound of the fountains softens the air.

Closing Impression

The Elms captures a different mood from the extravagance of The Breakers or Marble House. Its beauty lies in balance-the quiet harmony of stone and symmetry, of craftsmanship and restraint. Standing on the rear terrace, with the scent of clipped boxwood and the distant echo of the sea, one senses the perfection of an age that sought elegance above all else.