Rosecliff

Parts of this historical mansion have been featured in The Great Gatsby, 27 Dresses, Amistad, True Lies, and a few episodes of the Antique Roadshow.

Named for the beautiful rose garden outside, Rosecliff was built between 1898 and 1902 for Theresa Fair Oelrichs. Oelrichs inherited her money from her father, James Graham Fair, who had immigrated to America from Ireland and made his fortune in the famous Comstock Silver Mine Lode in Nevada. He was one of 4 partners of the mine. Theresa married Hermann Oelrichs, who was an American agent for the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamship line. Theresa loved to entertain and was very involved in the social scene. She was one of the top hostesses of Newport during her time.

The mansion was modeled after the Grand Trianon of Versailles. This historic mansion has great views of the Newport harbor and beaches. It has beautifully manicured lawns, a pretty rose garden, and a large water fountain outside. This site is a popular wedding venue and hosts many special events year-round. It has the largest ballroom of all of the Newport mansions. Depending on the season, guests can see a flower show, the Audubon portfolio, several rotating exhibits, and even the Nutcracker Ballet. The 2nd floor is set apart as a museum. Inside, the heart-shaped stairway is a definite centerpiece to the magnificent mansion. The fireplaces are carved from solid blocks of marble and limestone. Because of The Great Gatsby scenes filmed at the mansion, there is a display of some of the clothes that Robert Redford wore in the film, which help portray the lavish lifestyles of the time. The mansion is wheelchair accessible with a lift at the entrance and an elevator inside. On-site parking is available, and they have a cute gift shop with unique finds.