Newport is where the rich and famous kept their summer cottages. Naturally we toured the town and then visited a couple very impressive estates.

The Vanderbilt home came first. At first sight, the grounds and home are astounding. The main hall is tremendous. There’s an indoor grotto under the stairwell. Wow! We went through all their rooms. Then we came to our modern senses. It all seemed too much. Little wonder homes like these became white elephants.

The Marble House is another example of a Gilded Age home. Would we have done it differently in that era if we were among the very rich and famous. Perhaps not!