Monday, April 13, 2009

The Elms

The Elms was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the Pennsylvania coal industry. In 1898, the Berwinds engaged Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design a house modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c.1750) outside Paris. Construction of The Elms was completed in 1901 at a cost reported at approximately $1.4 million. The interiors and furnishings were designed by Allard and Sons of Paris and were the setting for the Berwinds' collection of Renaissance ceramics, 18th century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades. The elaborate Classical Revival gardens on the grounds were developed between 1907 and 1914. They include terraces displaying marble and bronze sculpture, a park of fine specimen trees and a lavish lower garden featuring marble pavilions, fountains, a sunken garden and carriage house and garage. These gardens were recently restored.

Like the Breakers and Marble House, the Elms were a summer home. It was for the Berwind family retreat. Mr. Julius Berwind owned a large coal industry that powered Vanderbilt Railroad Company. His company was essential in powering homes, trains, and other large companies that require coal. His wife would be in the Elms thought July 4th to the end of August.

When Julius Berwind's wife passed away, Julius invited his sister, Julia. Julia served as his hostess. Mrs. Berwind died in 1922. Mr. Berwind died in 1936 and Miss Julia continued to summer at The Elms until her death in 1961, at which time the house and most of its contents were sold at public auction. The Preservation Society of Newport County purchased The Elms in 1962 and opened the house to the public. In 1996, The Elms was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Like Marble House, this home was also designed in a French style. As I walked into the Elms with my audio guide, I proceeded to my left. This was where the tour began. At the front entrance are two kinds of artwork woven in cloth. The audio guide proceeded in telling me how the Elms were almost set to be destroyed. The land was to be a shopping center or housing community. The National preservation of mansions at Newport purchased the home with the help of sponsors. Now the Preservation society continues giving tours to visitors like me.

The home was constructed from 1899 to 1901.The first floor has a beautiful ballroom, breakfast room, dining room, salon, library, conservatory, and a grand hallway. The hallway that I entered was built in marble. The mansion was constructed in steel frame with brick portions and a limestone facade.

The lawn behind the Elms had a beautiful flower garden. The lawn had a long carpet that was used for walking, so that none of the ladies would get their dresses and shoes dirty. The Conservatory on the first floor has a beautiful view of this lawn.

The conservatory was built in by Julius Berwind because of his love of French gardens and fountains. He had beautiful fountain sprouting water and two glass mirrors on the fountain's sides. Then there was a pool table at the very center of the conservatory.

There was a private guest sitting room on the first floor as well. The sitting room had a portrait of Julius Berwind over a fireplace and next to him was the architect of the Elms, Horace Traubeauer. On Mr. Berwind's opposite wall was a portrait of his lovely wife.

After the sitting room and the conservatory was the library. The library housed many of the Berdwind family books and novels. The Berwinds loved to read and enjoyed many books.

The next room is the ballroom. This ballroom has served many guests including three orchestras. Two orchestras played in the ball room and one played outside in the lawn. Many parties were hosted and the meals were served in the Dining Room. The Dining room used a French style of serving foods. The chairs weighed over a ton and footman’s had to push the chair in. During meals, it was only polite to talk to the person next to you. Every time a dish comes up, the person had to talk to a person on their left or right.

Their food came and goes so fast that they can only eat very little. The good part was that at the Elms, the children could get midnight snacks.

The next room was the Breakfast room; this room is currently under restoration of the ceiling by the Preservation society. Near the windows is a Chinese artwork that was brought to the room from China.

As we exit the breakfast room and enter the dining room, we turn left to head towards the main entrance. Stop at the glass casings. Then turn right and head up the stairs. Stop at the second floor and I will meet you up there. This staircase was created in marble.

As you go up the stairs, please do not operate your audio player.

To be continued.