Blithewold Mansion in Rhode Island

The Blithewold Mansion in Rhode Island is a popularThe house itself is long and narrow, built on a
spot for weddings, events and visitors who justnorth-south axis, so that all the main rooms face
want to tour one of the most impressive Rhodewest to the water. It features French doors leading
Island mansions.out to terraces, porches, loggias and
Mining baron Augustus Van Wickle was born in 1856sleeping-porches. The large windows frame the
in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In 1876 he went toglorious sunsets that Blithewold is famous for.
work in his father's coal mining business, "Van WickleThe center hall and staircase of Blithewold Mansion
and Stout". He moved up in the company rapidly. Heare designed in the Colonial Revival style in the
and Bessie Pardee, daughter of Hazleton's wealthiestGeorgian style. Also typical of the Colonial Revival
coal baron, were married in 1882. Their daughterstyle are the fluted columns, dentil moldings and
Marjorie was born in 1883. Bessie's older daughter,volutes in the Entrance Hall, as well as the 3 different
Marjorie Van Wickle, became an accomplishedpatterns of balusters on the stairway.
watercolorist; many of her paintings are displayed inThe furniture in each room remains as former owner
the mansion. But her true love was Blithewold, whereBessie McKee arranged it before 1910. The fine yet
she spent the rest of her life developing this beautifulquasi-eclectic decor emphasizes elegance, comfort
property.and informality. Custom, handmade furniture abounds.
Van Wickles 1st family home was ready forThe Dining Room furniture is made of oak, made for
occupancy in the summer of 1896. The originalthe Van Wickle family in the 1890s in a Baroque style.
Blithewold was a 45-room Queen Anne style mansionSeveral of the chairs were made of oak cut from
furnished with antiques and reproduction furniture.the Blithewold gardens and were emblazoned with a
This 1st Blithewold house was destroyed by a fire inBlithewold family crest.
1906.With the exception of 2 bedrooms all the rooms in
In 1907 the 2nd, grander mansion was ready for thethe mansion are decorated with the original wallpaper.
family. The 2nd Blithewold was designed by theThe walls in the Master Bedroom show a
Boston architectural firm of Kilham and Hopkins, andhand-painted Dutch village scene. The fascinating
was a grander affair altogether. The new BlithewoldDining Room Collection includes more than 30 sets of
had electricity and coal-fired central heating, takingfine china, which are displayed in the Butler's Pantry.
advantage of modern technology, though it emulatedThis breathtaking American home is among the most
the English Country Manor style, which wasincredible architectural attractions in the state of
embraced as desirable for the wealthy classes ofRhode Island. Anyone interested in gilded age
America. The loggia of Blithewold faces Narragansettarchitecture cannot afford to skip a trip to this New
Bay, and is carved into crests and gargoyles, copyingEngland treasure.
of the loggia at Cranborne Manor in Dorset, England.