The Breaker, A Glimpse into America's Gilded Age Opulence

44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840

One of the largest in this luxury residential area

4.5

Introduction

The Breakers is one of the most magnificent estates in Newport and a symbol of the Vanderbilts' outstanding social status and wealth in American history. In the late 19th century, Wall Street tycoon and financier Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt established the Vanderbilt family's enormous fortune through industries such as shipbuilding and railroads. In 1885, Commodore's grandson Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who became president of the New York Central Railroad system, purchased a small wooden cottage in Newport and named it "The Breaker". In 1892, this cottage was destroyed in a fire, so Cornelius Vanderbilt II commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a new mansion. Hunt drew inspiration from palaces in Genoa and Turin in the 16th century and supervised craftsmen from around the world to build this luxurious 70-room abode. In 1934, The Breakers was opened to the public to raise maintenance funds and was later purchased by the Newport Preservation Society from the Vanderbilt family heirs in 1972. Today, this mansion has been recognized by the US government as a National Historic Landmark, showcasing the Vanderbilt family's historical contributions and glorious status.