The Breakers

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. The audio tours of The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms and Marble House now include segments that take you behind the scenes of HBO’s "The Gilded Age.” Listeners will learn how the character George Russell and his guest played billiards on the Vanderbilts’ own table in The Breakers Billiard Room (with a protective covering, of course); how HBO replaced the original electric light fixtures in The Elms Kitchen to look like gas lamps; and how Mr. Russell’s bedroom scenes used the actual bed in Consuelo Vanderbilt’s room in Marble House, but with a replacement mattress! The new “Behind the Scenes” segments include commentary by Director of Museum Affairs and Chief Curator Leslie B. Jones. They are found among the “extras” – the brief diversions from the main tour that give visitors more in-depth information about certain rooms. Press the round gold button at the bottom of the screen on your smartphone. If you already have the Newport Mansions app on your device, you will need to delete it and download it again to access this new content. You can listen to the audio tour anywhere; you don't need to be in one of the houses. And you can learn more about the Newport Mansions’ role in “The Gilded Age” series at www.newportmansions.org/gilded-age.