Who would imagine there’s an authentic Chinese tea house hugging the Cliff Walk in Newport? Behind the incredible Marble House, at the bottom of its sloping lawn stands this little treasure with incredible views of the Atlantic. Marble House is a gilded era mansion built between 1888 and 1892 and was the summer cottage of Alva and William Vanderbilt. It cost approximately 11 million dollars to build, and it was given to Alva by her husband on her 39th birthday.
After they divorced, she married Oliver H.P. Belmont and became Alva Belmont. She is known as an ardent crusader for women’s equality and gave thousands of dollars to the National Women’s Party to advance women’s rights. After her second husband’s death in 1908, she re-opened Marble House and had the Chinese Tea House built on the cliffs. It was here that she held her rallies for women’s right to vote.
Here’s a look at a stunning Rhode Island hidden gem with an interesting past.
The Chinese Tea House is modeled after 12th century Song Dynasty temples.
Facebook/ Preservation Society of Newport County
A Chinese Tea House is an unexpected surprise at the foot of Marble House’s huge back lawn.
Facebook/ Preservation Society of Newport County
Looking back, you see that Marble House is just as beautiful from the back as the front.
Wikimedia/ MVASCO
Alva Belmont used the Tea House for meetings and rallies for women’s rights. She also let the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage use the Marble House as headquarters for a time.
Facebook/ Preservation Society of Newport County
The grounds are beautifully landscaped and impeccably maintained by the Preservation Society of Newport.
Flickr/ Madeleine Deaton
An Imperial Chinese Lion, believed to have protective properties, stands guard over the door.
Flickr/ Matthew J Almeida
The roof features an incredible amount of detail, including dragon sculptures.
Facebook/ Preservation Society of Newport County
Song Dynasty architecture featured gracefully curved roofs and delicate carvings.
Flickr/ Matthew J Almeida
If you want to get a glimpse of the Tea House without going to Marble House, hike the Cliff Walk.
Flickr/ Rob Shields
It appears today just as it did in 1909 when Mrs. Vanderbilt would bring her friends down to enjoy the sea breezes, or hold rallies for women’s rights.
Flickr/ mcafowler
The Newport mansions are always a perfect place to take visiting family and friends, and at Marble House you get the added bonus of the Tea House.
Flickr/ Joy
The Tea House has recently undergone extensive renovation, to ensure it is around for the public to enjoy for years to come.
Preservation Society of Newport County It’s open year round, 7 days a week, so be sure to head down to Newport and check it out.
You can tour the house and grounds of Marble House daily beginning at 10 a.m. You can purchase tickets online and print them at home. Have you been to the Chinese Tea House? We’d love to hear your comments and see any pictures you have.
Facebook/ Preservation Society of Newport County
Wikimedia/ MVASCO
Flickr/ Madeleine Deaton
Flickr/ Matthew J Almeida
Flickr/ Rob Shields
Flickr/ mcafowler
Flickr/ Joy
Preservation Society of Newport County
It’s open year round, 7 days a week, so be sure to head down to Newport and check it out.
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