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Palace · Newport, Rhode Island
Marble House
A 1892 summer mansion built for William K. Vanderbilt and Alva Vanderbilt with marbles from various parts of the world and inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. In the garden there is a Chinese tea house over the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Marble House
Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for William K. Vanderbilt, who gave it to his wife Alva as a birthday present. The design is also by Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles. The house used marbles of several colors and origins, and its cost was one of the highest for an American residence of the time.
The gilded salon, covered in gold leaf, was used for parties, and the dining room has pink marble walls and bronze chairs so heavy they required servants to move them. The bedrooms, the staircase and the living rooms show decoration inspired by 17th- and 18th-century France.
After the divorce, Alva kept the house and, in the early 20th century, used it for meetings in support of women’s suffrage. In 1914 she had a Chinese-style tea house built at the back of the garden, at the edge of the Cliff Walk, painted red and green lacquer.
The house is a National Historic Landmark, managed by the same preservation society that cares for The Breakers, and is visited with an audio guide.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one hour to one and a half hours.
Best time
In the morning or mid-afternoon, outside group tour times. The house is open year-round, with hours that vary by season; confirm before you go.
How to get there
It is on Bellevue Avenue, about 3 km from downtown Newport and just over 1 km from The Breakers. City buses stop in front. There is parking. Admission is charged, with combined tickets; check the current schedule.
Tip
Combine it with The Breakers on the same day and walk from one to the other via the Cliff Walk. The Chinese tea house, at the end of the garden, faces the sea.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Marble House
Why is it called Marble House?
Because of the amount of marble used in the construction, of various colors and origins, on the facades, floors and walls.
Is Marble House near The Breakers?
Yes, a little over 1 km. You can walk from one to the other along Bellevue Avenue or the Cliff Walk.
What is Marble House’s Chinese teahouse?
A pavilion in Chinese style built in 1914 at the back of the garden, on the edge of the Cliff Walk, used by Alva Vanderbilt for receptions.