Bellevue Ave. here in Newport, especially south of Memorial Blvd., is "Millionaire Row". It was on the land between Bellevue Ave. and the ocean that the industrial/financial robber barons of the late 19th Century built their "summer cottages". Nowadays most of them have been bought up and turned into museums of Gilded Age memorabilia, although there are some that remain in private hands. There's a wealth of exquisite craftsmanship associated with these houses, and it was on crafty details that I concentrated on my walk down the Avenue today. This is my Labor Day hommage to the artisans and craftsmen - laborers - who made Bellevue Ave. the beautiful place it is.
Wrought iron and gilt - a gate at The Elms
More wrought iron and gilt, this time the fence in front of Vernon Court, now the home of the National Museum of American Illustration.
A fountain at Bellevue and Ruggles Ave.
Gate houses often make great stand-alone residences. This is Summer Wind, formerly the gate house of Beechwood, the summer estate of the Astor family.
Fancy stonework on the driveway of Rock Cliff estate, a private residence.
Ivy, stucco, and terracotta - the wall around Vernon Court© 2010 by A. Roy Hilbinger
A most suitable tribute to the real heroes of the great American industrial miracle - the American workers themselves.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that stonework driveway is amazing. And do the gilded lions ever look like they're covering a yawn to anyone else? I've always had an inner giggle about that pose of the paw...maybe it's just me.
ReplyDeletei just love the older more stately neighborhoods, these photos....'millionaire row' by roy hilbinger, where can i purchase???
ReplyDeleteVery fitting for Labor Day--it's good to remember that without craftspeople, the millionaires wouldn't have all those well-appointed mansions--not to mention cleaning folks & yard folks & plumbers & electricians--the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! You are a lucky guy!
ReplyDelete...a perfect tribute to Labor Day. Love, work, and passion--you can see it all in these photos.
ReplyDeleteVery posh! The stonework in that driveway is amazing though.
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