Chateau-sur-Mer (1851–1852) (Newport, Rhode Island) | place with historical importance, estate (manor / mansion land), NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, 1850s construction

USA / Rhode Island / Newport / Newport, Rhode Island / Bellevue Avenue, 424
 place with historical importance, estate (manor / mansion land), NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, 1850s construction
(1851–1852)
Architects: Seth Bradford (1851);
remodeling by Richard Morris Hunt (1871–1880) and John Russell Pope (1917)

• Chateau-sur-Mer was built for the Wetmore family, successful China Trade merchants.
• George Peabody Wetmore served as Governor of R.I. (1885-87) and as a U.S. Senator (1895–1913).
• In 1966, Miss Edith Wetmore left Chateau-sur-Mer to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, which declined the bequest. This led to the auction of the estate and its collections.
• The Preservation Society acquired Chateau-sur-Mer in 1969, rescuing the estate from development.
• Today, Chateau-sur-Mer is a National Historic Landmark.

Chateau-sur-Mer is a landmark of High Victorian architecture, furniture, wallpapers, ceramics and stenciling. It was the most palatial residence in Newport from its completion in 1852 until the appearance of the Vanderbilt houses in the 1890s. It was the scene of memorable entertainments, from the "Fete Champetre", an elaborate country picnic for over two thousand guests held in 1857, to the debutante ball for Miss Edith Wetmore in 1889.

www.newportmansions.org/explore/chateau-sur-mer

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shepard_Wetmore
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau-sur-Mer
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°28'16"N   71°18'16"W

Comments

  • This is probably one of the finest examples of lavish Victorian architecture. It was built in 1852 of Fall River granite for William S. Wetmore who made his fortune in the China trade. Richard Morris Hunt was engaged to make substantial changes and additions to the house int he 1870's. In 1969 it was purchased by the Preservation Society. The estate has an unusual arched gate-entrance and a Chinese moon gate. The dining room fireplace mantel was carved in black walmut in 1876 by Luigi Frullini and shows a bacchanalian scene with cherubs drinking wine. The ballroom is where the reception for George P. Wetmore was held in 1889 on the occasion of his inauguration as governor of Rhode Island.
This article was last modified 7 years ago