Elms

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Elms

one of the Newport "cottages"

 

 

early morning at the entrance

The Elms was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the Pennsylvania coal industry. In 1898, the Berwinds engaged Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design a house modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c.1750) outside Paris. Construction of The Elms was completed in 1901 at a cost reported at approximately $1.4 million.

 

 

 

 

The interiors and furnishings were designed by Allard and Sons of Paris and were the setting for the Berwinds' collection of Renaissance ceramics, 18th century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades.  

 

 

 

 

on the roof

 

roof statues

 

 

 

 

 


The elaborate Classical Revival gardens on the grounds were developed between 1907 and 1914. They include terraces displaying marble and bronze sculpture, a park of fine specimen trees and a lavish lower garden featuring marble pavilions, fountains, a sunken garden and carriage house and garage. These gardens were recently restored. 

 

 

the covered service entrance

 

1914 Victoria Landau Renault which Julias Berwind owned while at the Elms
(Photo courtesy of Don Bierstock, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, who is the current owner)


The Garden

 

 

 

 

 


Mrs. Berwind died in 1922, and Mr. Berwind invited his sister, Julia, to become his hostess at his New York and Newport houses. Mr. Berwind died in 1936 and Miss Julia continued to summer at The Elms until her death in 1961, at which time the house and most of its contents were sold at public auction. The Preservation Society of Newport County purchased The Elms in 1962 and opened the house to the public. In 1996, The Elms was designated a National Historic Landmark. 
 

 


 


Beechwood Breakers Elms Marble House Rosecliff Rough Point

Cliff Walk Colonial District Fort Adams Gilded Age Mansions Seamen's Institute Spring Street Tennis Hall Harbor Tour Jazz Walking Tour

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