A leading Colonial port city by the mid-1700s, Newport began to take historic preservation seriously before the western half of the nation even came to exist. Its greatest era was the Gilded Age, so called because the wealthiest and most artistically brilliant denizens of the East Coast cities anointed it as their summer resort of choice. They built palatial mansions, held glittering parties, and set a standard for Newport that has never entirely disappeared— perhaps because many of the mansions still stand. These days though, the island is more accessible to ordinary vacationers, should they wish to weekend in a romantic inn, go sailing, or explore the charming and historic downtown streets.
A leading Colonial port city by the mid-1700s, Newport began to take historic preservation seriously before the western half of the nation even came to exist. Its greatest era was the Gilded Age, so called because the wealthiest and most artistically brilliant denizens of the East Coast cities anointed it as their summer resort of choice. They built palatial mansions, held glittering parties, and set a standard for Newport that has never entirely disappeared— perhaps because many of the mansions still stand. These days though, the island is more accessible to ordinary vacationers, should they wish to weekend in a romantic inn, go sailing, or explore the charming and historic downtown streets.
