railroading over the previous two generations, William K. and Alva Vanderbilt commissioned Richard Morris Hunt to design and build along the Bellvue Avenue ocean lot the "finest cottage money can buy". Four years, over 300 European artisans and 11 million dollars later, the Vanderbilt's were one step closer to buying their way into high society.

Fascinated with King Louis XIV of France, Alva couldn't be happier to receive Marble House for her 39th birthday. Hunt's neoclassical expression combines the elevation of the Petit Trianon at Versailles with the Washington DC White House portico. Through the massive Corinthian columns, past the 10 ton bronze, steel and crystal grille entranceway, and into the main entry hall made entirely of yellow Sienna marble, one can no doubt be impressed by the wealth and power of the Vanderbilt family.

During the 1995 restoration of the 1st floor Gothic Room, Paul Miller, curator of the Preservation Society of Newport County, and Bob Bitter, Co-President of Scalamandré discovered the missing red silk damask wall panel in an upper floor storage cabinet. From the original fragment plus the period photographs, an accurate replica was woven in the Scalamandré Long Island City workshop for the wall upholstery. An appropriate red silk tape was used to cover over the tacks along the edges of the walls. The Gothic Room displays the Vanderbilt medieval miniatures and Renaissance art objects.

For further information on the Preservation Society of Newport County call 401-847-1000 or visit their website at www.newportmansions.org.