In the late 1800s and around the turn of the century numerous summer 'cottages' were built along Bellevue Avenue, and The Elms is one such 'cottage' in Newport, Rhode Island. It was the home of Edward Berwind who made his fortune in coal, and it was completed in 1901. The design is similar to a château in France at Asnières-sur-Seine called d'Asnières and the gardens are truly magnificent because the landscapers worked closely with the architect to ensure the continuity of design. In 1901, this home cost $1.5 million and was part of what was called the 'Gilded Age'.
The façade of The Elms' magnificent structure is made of limestone, and it's framed with steel incorporating brick partitions. As visitors tour the facility, the Grand Ballroom, library, conservatory, dining and breakfast rooms, and a salon are all found on the first floor. As visitors move upstairs to the second floor they will find the family and guests bedrooms and a large lounge area. Upstairs on the third floor were the rooms for the servants.
Since it was based on the 18th century château, there is a sunken garden, the stables, and the storage spaces for their magnificent carriages. The upper floor of the carriage house contained the bedrooms for the landscapers and stable hands. The carriage house was later converted to a garage for their vehicles.
For visitors fascinated with the architecture of these grand 'summer cottages', The Elms is one a magnificent mansion that is a pleasure to visit.