Miramar (Newport, Rhode Island)

USA / Rhode Island / Newport / Newport, Rhode Island
 place with historical importance, estate (manor / mansion land), interesting place
Built in 1913 and designed by Horace Trumbauer for railway magnate George D. Widener and his wife, Eleanor.

'Miramar' was designed by architect Horace Trurnbauer; Jacques Greber was the landscape architect. The French neoclassical-style mansion, situated on the Cliff Walk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was commissioned by Pennsylvania businessman George Dunton Widener, Sr. (1861-1912), who along with his son Harry Elkins Widener (1885-1912) perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. His widow, Eleanor (nee Elkins) (1861-1937), continued the project, and 'Miramar' was officially opened on August 20, 1915.

Mrs. Widener married Dr. Alexander Hamilton Rice, Jr. (1875-1956), Professor of Geographical Exploration at Harvard, on October 14, 1915, and the couple continued to use 'Miramar' as a summer home. After the death of his wife, Dr. Rice enjoyed the use of 'Miramar' until his death in 1956, at which time ownership reverted to Mrs. Rice's children, George Dunton Widener, Jr. (1889-1971), and Eleanor Widener Dixon (1891-1953), who sold the estate to a private school. In 1971, 'Miramar' was purchased by a real estate developer who maintained the mansion until its sale in 2006.

www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/mrs-g-d-widener-marry-dr-...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_H._Rice,_Jr.

Robert Yarnall Richie aerial photo ca. 1932-1934 - digitalcollections.smu.edu/u?/ryr,414
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miramar_(mansion)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°27'30"N   71°18'17"W

Comments

  • Miramar was built in 1913 and designed by Horace Trumbauer for railway magnate George D. Widener and his wife, Eleanor. The year before the residence was completed, Mr. & Mrs. Widener, with their son Harry, travelled on the Titanic--of the three, only Mrs. Widener survived. Though in mourning, Mrs. Widener decided to complete the "cottage". With over 700 feet of oceanfront, this French neoclassical-style "cottage" offers commanding views of the Atlantic Ocean. The H-shaped resicence, made of exquisite limestone, sits on 5.9 acres. The residence has over 30,000 square feet of living space. On the first floor, the 28' x 66' Grand Salon / Ballroom faces the 4,000 square foot central terrace. There are two master bedrooms on the second floor, each encompassing 800 square feet. There are an additional nine bedrooms on the second floor, plus sixteen staff bedrooms on the third floor. The estate was given to the Rhode island Episcopal Diocese in 1957 tobe used as a school by the Widener heirs (Mr. George d. Widener of Philadelphia and New York and his sister, Mrs. Eleanor Widener Dixon of Philadelphia) in memory of their mother who died in 1937. The estate was valued at $287,900.00 in 1957. It was sold several times and served as a school and corporate conference center. In August of 1970 the estate was purchased by American Capital Corp. Andrew Panteleakis, president of American Capital Corp. declined to say how much he purchased the estate for. The estate was for sale in 2005 for an asking price of $25,000,000.00.
  • sold recently to David B. Ford who paid $17.15 million for the 8-acre oceanfront chateau, the most ever paid for a residence on Aquidneck Island. It had been owned since 1971 by real estate developer Andrew Panteleakis. david ford is a retired partner from goldman sachs
  • I am a 1969 graduate of Miramar school. Those years at Miramar are some of the best memories of my life. It was a serious school, with the student staff ratio very small. The classrooms on the lower level were conducive to concentration as they too were small I remember a nor Easter storm marching up the coast. The ballroom doors blew open and the grand chandelier was swinging violently in the wind. I remember mrs Penner being very upset but as a teenager it was very exciting I also remember the escaped dogs who would come down to our school. We would be playing field hockey and when we heard the loose dogs. We ran to the house. We were clueless who owned these dogs but soon learned they were owned by Doris Duke. Who lived two doors away .We were there in Newport when Ms Duke ran into her gate killing her boyfriend. It was Newport's modern Peyton place era. I later found out Claus and Sunny Von Bulow were neighbors. Other memories are the cliff walks to Baileys Beach and walks to town. The school provided vigorous physical activity everyday. We were limited where we were permitted to go as Newport was run down at the time and the only place we could go was the Bellevue ave shops near the national tennis hall of fame. Our social life was just fine. We enjoyed gatherings with st George's school and occasional events with the nerds at Portsmouth Priory. The best was when Tabor academy sailed down and join us for dances. They would meet us downtown Sunday morning. We were suppose to go to church but opted to go to the waterfront to visit our Tabor boys We played tennis in the early morning. Sailed and raced around Newport. The best gift for me was the academic and art program I so loved. I gained focus in my life to further my education and eventually received my masters degree. The ocean continues to be my refuge. I met my best friend at Miramar and 45 years later we are still best friends. Miramar was the best kept secret in higher secondary education
  • Roselyn I went to school there too. I am glad you have good memories of Miramar. I loved the ocean part of the thing however because of polio I hated being away from my mom even at that age I felt so lost without her. I ran away.
  • What years were you there? I am best friends with Amie Sadi and I reconnected with Charlotte thompson. Both at Miramar. Where do you live now.
  • Hi, Roslyn my name is Sharon Blaso (Lorincz) I graduated from Miramar in 1969. I remember you Amie and Charlotte. My years at Miramar were good ones for me also. I live in Georgia now. Hope you are all well and enjoying life.
  • Roslyn, I'm researching Miramar. Have you ever heard anyone comment on a skylight over the main staircase? There is some question about if it was ever installed.
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This article was last modified 9 years ago