Newport -- The Elms

Object Details

General: 001: The Elos, Newport, R. I. Residence of E. J. Berwind. Postcard circa 1901-1915. 002: Venetian Gardens, and Tea House, Berwind Estate, Newport, R. I. E-5910. Postcard circa 1915-1930.; The Berwind's summer residence was built in 1901. Horace Trumbauer modelled it after the Chateau d'Asnieres near Paris. The landscape architect, Jacques Greber of Paris designed the grounds. The garden contained statues, fountains, marble gazebos that lined the walkways to the garden, terraces and balustrade stone stables. The Elms was sold in 1962 to a real estate developer, a nephew of Miss Berwind, planned to subdivide the land. After a decline in the real estate market, the Newport Preservation Society purchased it for public display. The contents of the mansion of the mansion were sold at auction and at prices that the Newport Preservation Society could not match.

Place: The Elms (Newport, Rhode Island); United States of America -- Rhode Island -- Newport County -- Newport

Topic: Gardens -- Rhode Island -- Newport; Mansions; Formal gardens; Parterres; Sunken gardens; Shrubs; Flower beds; Garden walks; Teahouses

See more items in: Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides); Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides) / Rhode Island

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid in this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Biographical / Historical: It is likely that Julian Abele (1881-1950), one of the first prominent African American architects of the early twentieth century, should be credited for his design work on this project. Abele started working for Horace Trumbauer's all-white firm around 1902 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture. Abele was sent by Trumbauer to study in Paris at one of the most prestigious art schools, the École, until 1906. He returned to work as the assistant to the firm's chief designer but was quickly promoted to chief designer in 1909. Between 1909 and Trumbauer's death in 1938, Abele worked on dozens, if not hundreds, of projects for the firm, predominately uncredited. Though it was custom at the time to attribute architectural designs to the head of the firm instead of the individual designers, it is notable that an early pioneering African American architect likely contributed to this project.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Richard Marchand historical postcard collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Bibliography: Garden has been featured in Phelps, Harriet Jackson. Newport in Flower. Newport, RI: Preservation Society of Newport County, 1979, p. 143-147. Griswold, Mac and Weller, Eleanor. Golden Age of American Gardens. N. Y., N. Y.: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. in association with the Garden Club of America, 1991, p. 30.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.