Marble House Alva Vanderbilt

William vanderbilt whose older brother cornelius ii built the breakers gave this opulent palace to his wife alva as a 39th birthday gift.

Marble house alva vanderbilt.

Marble house was a birthday present for his wife alva vanderbilt. He donated the house to the preservation society of newport county while the frederick h. Not to be outdone by his younger brother cornelius ii william built marble house on newport s cliffs at the cost of 11 million which included about 7 million worth of marble more than 500 000 cubic feet of the stone. It is said that the marble alone over 500 000 cubic feet cost 7 million.

Its temple front portico resembles that of the white house. Prince trust of chicago donated the interior furnishings. Alva was born on january 17th 1853 as alva ertskin smith in mobile alabama. I wonder how he topped that on her 40th birthday.

The house was designed by the architect richard morris hunt inspired by the petit trianon at versailles. Marble house is a gilded age mansion in newport rhode island. Alva vanderbilt was a leading hostess in newport society and envisioned marble house as her temple to the arts in america. Après son remariage en 1896 à oliver belmont elle déménagea dans la maison de belmont à belcourt.

Designed as a summer cottage for alva and william kissam vanderbilt by the society architect richard morris hunt it was unparalleled in opulence for an american house when it was completed in 1892. After the civil war her family moved to france where she was educated. She was the daughter of a cotton broker. A contemporary of vanderbilt s was quoted as saying that she loved nothing better than to be knee deep in mortar.

Constructed in secrecy for almost four years and ostensibly a present from her husband william kissam vanderbilt marble house did what alva meant it to do confirm her position as one of the leading lights of society. In 1963 one year after the death of the younger mr prince marble house was purchased by alva s youngest son harold stirling vanderbilt 1884 1970. You can also register for free. As a young newlywed alva vanderbilt worked from 1878 to 1882 with richard morris hunt to design a french renaissance style chateau known as the petit chateau for her family at 660 fifth avenue in manhattan.

Once logged in you do not need to log in again if you click remember me. Alva vanderbilt was known to entertain at marble house and in particular at the all portsmouth press articles are free to read but you must log in to view this post. Alva vanderbilt later alva belmont s story is the one that thrives behind the heavy walls of marble house.