The Breakers, Newport
The Breakers, Newport
Located in Newport, Rhode Island, The Breakers is by far the most outstanding and impressive of all the mansions in the area. This historical estate spans a whopping 13 acres, and the mansion contains 70 rooms. Originally a mansion made of wood bought in 1885 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the current Italian Renaissance style of the building was constructed in 1893 after a large fire destroyed the bulk of the previous building.
Vanderbilt contracted the best of the best to build this masterpiece of a building, bringing in Italian architects and artists to design and decorate the mansion is the best of 16th century italian style. The end result is a beautiful building that resembles a true Italian palace.
As previously stated, the Breakers was owned by the Vanderbilts, who were one of America's most wealthy and prosperous families during the turn of the century. The family originally obtained their wealth through Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt's pioneering in the steamboat industry, and then later as a founder of the New York Central Railroad, which was an essential turning point in the growth of the area's journey towards industrialization.
As time went on the family retained it's wealth, but it lost control of the railroad company in the early 1950's. To truly experience the breakers, you have to see it in person. This massive building is simply not something that can be full appreciated in pictures, and you really do not get a grasp of how large and magnificent it is through this medium. Be sure and bring your camera or favorite video cam as seeing the Breakers in person is an experience you will not soon forget.
