Rosecliff Mansion, Newport

The Rosecliff, now open to the public as a historic house museum, was built between 1898 and 1902. The mansion is also known as the Hermann Oelrichs House or the J. Edgar Monroe House, reflecting its storied past and the prominent individuals who have graced its halls.

The mansion was commissioned by Theresa Fair Oelrichs, an heiress to the silver fortune of Nevada. Her father, James Graham Fair, was one of the fortunate few who struck it rich in the Comstock Lode. Theresa Fair Oelrichs was married to Hermann Oelrichs, the American agent for the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamship line. In 1891, the Oelrichs family, together with Theresa's sister, Virginia Fair, acquired the property from the estate of George Bancroft. They had a grand vision of creating a summer retreat that would be perfectly suited for entertaining on an extravagant scale.

The Oelrichs family entrusted the esteemed architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White with the design of their summer home. The principal architect, Stanford White, drew inspiration from the grandeur of the Grand Trianon of Versailles. However, Rosecliff was scaled down in size, adopting a basic "H" shape. The mansion boasts an exquisite glazed arcade with arched windows and paired Ionic pilasters, which gracefully transform into columns along the central loggia. Rosecliff's design by White was further enhanced with a second story featuring a balustraded roofline that artfully conceals the third story, where twenty small servants' rooms and the laundry pressing room are discreetly tucked away.

What truly sets Rosecliff apart is its splendid ballroom. This grand space has not only been a centerpiece for social events but has also played a role in the world of cinema. The ballroom served as a stunning backdrop for scenes in several notable films, including the 1974 version of "The Great Gatsby," "The Betsy," "High Society," "True Lies," and "Amistad." It's a place where history and entertainment seamlessly intertwine.