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.
Newport’s grandest homes, including the Agassiz mansion at Castle Hill, were built as summer “cottages”. Luckily for us, this did not mean that their construction was in any way flimsy or unable to be hospitable in winter. For example, the exterior walls of The Elms mansion, pictured in the snow, are three feet thick! Not
Let’s face it. November gets a bad rap. Granted, it’s not overly festive, it’s dark out a good deal of the time, it’s too early for skiing — a transitional month for sure! In Newport, however, its golden and fiery beauty, lack of crowds, ocean mitigated mild temperatures and persistent lushness, make it a fabulous