The Gilded Age: Scenes from The Elms (and yes! we were there!)

Gladys Russell's bedroom, aka, Mrs. Berwind's bedroom at The Elms

Monday blues have turned into gold with The Gilded Age and we've scored another Newport cottage sighting last week with some interior shots of The Elms.

Tonight is the sixth episode (out nine) this season and every Monday evening since January 24th, we've been plugged into HBO to not only watch the clash of old and new money in late 19th century New York, but also search for familiar "faces and edifices" (as noted in our January 29th blog, Gilded Age, Familiar Faces. . .) that we have met in our travels.  And, last week, we again struck gold as we were reunited with a Newport cottage we visited in 2016:  The Elms!

The marble foyer and staircase

As detailed in the latest The Preservation of Newport County's newsletter, in last week's episode of  The Gilded Age, the second floor of The Elms was featured in a few scenes with Gladys Russell, daughter of nouveau riche parents, George and Bertha.  Gladys is shown walking through the Newport cottage hallway with its "distinctive red wallpaper", then entering her bedroom with housekeeper, Mrs. Bruce. That room, with its gilt and richly upholstered bed taking front and center, belonged to Mrs. Berwind, the wife of Edward Berwind, who made his vast fortune from the coal industry.

Roaming the crimson halls

Looking for Gladys

When my husband, Chris, and I were at The Elms, strolling the crimson halls and climbing the marble staircase, we also took part in the "servants tour".  It's fascinating, as well as a reality check, to see the "other side of the story".  While the design and furnishings are amazing, seeing what it took to keep the household going is just as incredible.

Assisting in the kitchen, part of the downstairs tour

One of the staff's bedrooms

The Elms, although not directly on the ocean, is located on the prestigious Bellevue Avenue, which was almost as important as being on the water. The Newport mansion, built for the Berwinds, was designed by Horace Trumbauer to resemble yet another Paris chateau.

Third floor, staff quarters, view from outside

Ironing room provides a reality check

However, the key to The Elm's design, was to make it look as though it ran by magic. Servants' quarters were hidden behind a brick wall on the third floor (the facade gives the illusion of two stories, but there are actually three) and all staff entries and delivery stops were cleverly shielded by gates, trees and other decorative ornamentation.

The front of The Elms, located on the prestigious Bellevue Avenue

The dwellings, plain or fancy, are as captivating to the tale of The Gilded Age as the characters who live in them.

Whether we're upstairs in the dining room or downstairs in the kitchen, we'll be ready for The Gilded Age tonight. We'll see you there!