Rosecliff, Newport

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Rosecliff is a beautiful mansion, although not as ostentacious as the other ones. You could almost see yourself living a normal life in this one (albeit, with the largest ballroom in Newport). Take a tour of the home to see artifacts from the family, paintings, photographs and just a good sense of what life was like for the people who owned the home. There are roses on the side of the property and a breathtaking view of the ocean in the backyard.

You can get a package ticket to see any of the 5 mansions for $31 for adults and $10 for kids 6-17 (under 6 is free).

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Rosecliff is one of the most recognizable mansions in Newport. It was used in the movie the Great Gatsby with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Tue Lies with Arnold Swarzeneger also was filmed here.

The main feature of the house is the heart shaped staircase. This is the oly part of the house your guide will allow you to take a picture (Mansions do not allow photography). Rosecliff has Newport's largest private ballroom. The house and it's furnishings are beautiful and transport you back to the time of the Guilded Age.

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Part of the beauty of Rosecliff are the gardens. The property was originally owned by George Bancroft who was an amateur horticulturist and who developed the American Beauty Rose.

The grounds are stunning.

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The original home of the heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs.

Updating this page, but for now, enjoy this picture of one of the most beautiful homes in all of Newport

Bit of trivia - Scenes from several films have been shot here on location, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies and Amistad.

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Rosecliff was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899. Architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. After the house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million,

The mansions are all fascinating in Newport but Rosecliff happens to be one of the most beautiful in my opinion. The beauty is only increased by the surrounding grounds.
This mansion has been home to many movies as well as many special occasions including many weddings. Special exhibits are also sometimes located within the mansion. When I was there, there was an exhibit on women's clothing.
The start of the Rosecliff experience begins with a tour of the ground floor lead by one of the very informative tour guides. Then after accending the heart shaped staircase one then goes on a self-guided tour of the second floor.
I reccomend on visiting the mansion website not only to learn about the mansion but also to learn about times and dates that Rosecliff is open, as the times change throughout the year. The website also has a good deal of background information on Rosecliff and the other mansion.
Also there is no picture taking in any of the mansions. Rosecliff is one of the only air-conditioned mansions (a plus in my book!). And there is an elevator for those individuals who cannot make the staircase, however I would at least take a glimpse at it as it is possitively breathtakiing.
* And as a side note to those bringing children...most of those with young children had trouble controlling them as the children were positively bored with the tour and the house, I suggest this attraction to those with older children.

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Built in 1900 for the heiress, Theresa Fair Oelrichs, this mansion was modeled after the Trianon in Versailles.