The outlandish Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island were elaborate summer cottages and were, for the most part, unoccupied in winter. Though demure in comparison to these marble palaces and chateaux, the same was true for the Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill Inn, when it was the summer home of renowned marine biologist and
As the sun sets earlier and the winds begin to blow in a chillier aspect, perhaps it puts you in the mood to settle down with a good book. For those longer nights, we have put together a list of good reads pertaining to the City by the Sea that we thought a traveler to
The land that is Castle Hill has been known as such for centuries, perhaps due to an earthwork that was built here by Native Americans (the Narragansetts) that resembled a castle to ships passing into Narragansett Bay. Giovanni di Verrazzano was the first to write about the Narragansett Bay, which he called Refugio, due to
By horticulturist, Leita Lord For those visiting southern Rhode Island mid-summer, the recurrent displays of hydrangeas are a major attention grabber. There are few flowering bushes that put on such a dramatic show! From large white, blue, pink and purple globes to pillowy pale green pyramids and blue lace-like flowers, Castle Hill Inn has many
by Leita Lord, Horticulturist All plants have a purpose, and many include beneficial traits for human health. In the new Healing Garden at Castle Hill Inn we are highlighting a few of my favorite plant allies. From the vitamin C rich Rose hips, to the wound-healing “warrior’s herb”, we are cultivating beautiful medicinal flowers and
In the novel, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, a semi-autobiographical tale set in Newport in the 1920s, the main character describes “a pentagonal room in a turret above the house: from the magical room, I could see at night the beacons of six lighthouses and hear the chiming of as many sea buoys.” Wilder was
The Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive Historic Districts are indeed not that old. They have almost no colonial aspect, as you find Downtown, on Historic Hill, or in The Point sections of Newport. They are, however, the most spectacular! Winter is a great time to discover these areas by car, along the so-called Ten Mile Drive,
With its mix of beach town, sailing capital, and world-class resort, plus the backdrop of colonial and gilded age history, it is no wonder that Newport became a top wedding destination. Not to mention, the magical quality of the natural light — best seen in wedding photos from Castle Hill Inn! Follow in the footsteps
We know we are not the only ones to take solace in nature and gardening during this time of uncertainty and waylaid plans. We also know that, when you are at Castle Hill and surrounded of course by beautiful things, it is the natural landscape and seascape that will forever win the day! Blessed as
During the Gilded Age, wealthy Americans came to Newport to conquer society or be sanctioned by it, as it was the ne plus ultra for the fashionable set. In 1874, when Alexander Agassiz purchased Castle Hill and built his summer home here, the Queen of Newport society was Mrs. August Belmont née Caroline Slidell Perry.