Blithewold Mansion and Gardens- Bristol, RI

Blithewold Mansion is very reminiscent of Canandaigua’s Sonnenberg Estate, which, coming from me, is a compliment of the highest order. Both estates are magnificent historic properties, filled with exquisite decorative arts, set amidst magical grounds. Here, the house is a breezy summer retreat, surrounded by glorious greenery- acres and acres of formal gardens, forests, and ferns. So many fabulous ferns.

The 70 acre property was purchased in 1894 by Augustus Van Wickle, a Pennsylvania Coal Baron, after he impulsively purchased a 72 foot steam yacht from a nearby boat building company. Newport Architect Francis Hoppin was retained to construct a stately Queen Anne mansion on the site, with landscape architect John DeWolf tasked with designing the grounds.

Completed in 1896, Augustus spent just one summer at the estate before dying in a skeet shooting accident. The house itself didn’t fare much better- it was completely destroyed by fire in 1906. In 1907, Augustus’ widow Bessie and her new husband, William Leander McKee then commissioned the Boston architectural firm Kilham & Hopkins to build the current English Country Manor style house as its replacement.

Set overlooking Narragansett Bay, the rough stone and stucco mansion featured steep pitched roofs and medieval style ornamentation. Inside, the Arts & Crafts movement was heavily embraced, and included Stickley furniture, Tiffany lamps and hand painted wallpaper. Boasting 45 rooms, almost all with Bay views and breezes, it was a spectacular summer estate.

By 1932 however, the Gilded Age good times were long over, and finances forced the McKees to downsize; ownership of Blithewold was transferred to Bessie’s daughters, with 35 acres sold to the Columban Fathers. Bessie remained at Blithewood until 1936, when she died following a fall down the mansion’s stairs. After the death of Bessie’s daughter, Marjorie, in 1976, ownership of the estate (house, contents and grounds) passed to the Heritage Trust of Rhode Island; in 1978 the property was opened to the public.

Unquestionably, the mansion at Blithewold is magnificent. It is an absolute dream for those who appreciate interior design. However, the greenspaces are what make the estate superior to many Gilded Age properties. Sprawling and serene, you could spend all day wandering the grounds, taking in DeWolf’s design.

Consisting of 33 acres, the grounds include gardens, pathways, lawns, stone structures and dense forests with fern floors. It is a place changed little by time, which offers an excellent opportunity to unplug and enjoy the natural world.