Beechwood (Astor Mansion), Newport

Beechwood stands as a symbol of the opulence and grandeur of the Gilded Age. Its illustrious history and architectural significance have firmly established it as a prominent landmark within the Bellevue Avenue Historic District. Most notably, Beechwood is celebrated for its ownership by the prestigious Astor family, who infused it with their unique charm and elegance.

The tale of Beechwood commenced between 1852 and 1853 when it was originally conceived as a marine villa for the wealthy New Yorker Daniel Parish. Parish, a prominent clothing merchant . The initial design was the work of renowned architects Andrew Jackson Downing and Calvert Vaux, who were based in New York. Sadly, Downing's planned visit to the building site in July 1852 never came to pass as he tragically lost his life in a steamboat accident en route to New York.

Nonetheless, the mansion was constructed with a distinctive "Palladian spirit" under the guidance of Vaux and showcased in Vaux's book "Villas and Cottages" (1857). Unfortunately, a fire in 1855 damaged the mansion, leading to its reconstruction with significant alterations in 1856, with Vaux supervising the construction.

In 1880, Beechwood acquired new ownership when William Backhouse Astor Jr. purchased it for a sum of $190,941.50. William Backhouse Astor Jr. was married to Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, who would later be renowned as "the Mrs. Astor." The house underwent further transformation when, between 1888 and 1890, Mrs. Astor enlisted the acclaimed architect Richard Morris Hunt to oversee a series of renovations, including the addition of a lavish ballroom tailored to accommodate the prestigious "Four Hundred."

Beyond its breathtaking architecture, Beechwood boasts several resplendent rooms, including a well-appointed library, an elegant dining room, and a charming music room adorned with exquisite wallpaper imported from Paris. Throughout the Astor era, Beechwood became the revered setting for many of Mrs. Astor's celebrated dinner parties and social gatherings.

Even after its illustrious history, Beechwood still had more stories to tell. In a second-season episode of "Ghost Hunters," the mansion was featured as the team from The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) investigated claims of paranormal activity. While the investigation may have added a touch of mystique to its storied past, Beechwood primarily remains a lasting testament to the luxury and grandeur of Newport's Gilded Age.