Experience the Victorian Era at Astors’ Mansion in Newport, RI
Astors’ Newport Mansion in Newport, RI is a beautiful Victorian Era mansion overlooking the sea that offers living history tours and special events seasonally. Talented members of the Beechwood Theatre Company interpret Victorian society in a living history experience unlike anything else in Rhode Island. The Astors, their friends and domestic staff greet and entertain guests in various daily tours and special programs held evenings at the Mansion.
If you have ever read a Victorian novel or watched a movie depicting Victorian times, you know how entertaining and magnificent society was during the Gilded Age. All of the gowns and tuxedos, ceremonious formalities and distinct nuances of Victorian society are brought to life at Astors’ Mansion. Children as well as adults will enjoy their interactions with the lively and personable ladies and gentlemen that recreate history at the Mansion.
Two daily tours are available to Astors’ Mansion visitors on a daily basis. Victorian Servants Tours are a fun way to experience the Victorian Age from the perspective of the domestic staff. During your tour, you will apply for a position as a servant yourself and find out what it’s really like to work on Mrs. Astor’s staff.
During the Victorian Servants Tour, housemaids and footmen will show you the mansion and tell you about what it’s like to work here. You will see the servants’ quarters as well as the grand ballroom, kitchen and other rooms of the Mansion. This is a fun tour that children as well as adults will enjoy. Victorian Servants Tours are offered at various times throughout the day during the winter and early spring months at the Mansion.
The Astor family arrives at the Mansion in late May, and visitors can then take a Victorian Tour involving family members as well as the domestic staff. You will find out how it feels to be a welcome member of grand Victorian society. as you interact with the Astors and their servants on your tour. Music performances by members of the Beechwood Theatre Company are featured in Victorian Tours from May through December.
There are several evening events you can attend at Astor Mansion. Murder at the Mansion is a fun interactive murder mystery performance. You will interact with staff members and search the Mansion for clues as you try to solve the evening’s murder mystery.
If you prefer to attend a more elegant evening affair at Astor Mansion, you can attend an Evening with the Astors Tuesday nights during July through October. You’ll take a candlelight tour of the Mansion, then enjoy music and dancing in the beautiful ballroom. This is a very special way to experience the Mansion and all the grand elegance of Victorian society.
I am interested in bringing a group to your mansion in September or early October for either a Murder Mystery Tour of an evening of dancing. Do you have speak easy nights? My husband and I might come down to Newport on Sturday of this weekend (8/9/08) to check oout the possibilities. We represent the Neighborhood Club of Quincy, MA ( a social dinner club). Would anyone be able to show us around and discuss the possibilites. We hope to have a group of about 45 people.
I have forwarded the comment on to the appropriate people and hope that you will have a response very soon.
Enjoy your adventure, it should be wonderful.
Pat Watson
Editor
I am planning a weekend trip to Newport in Decemeber with my entire family (8) and am interested in attending your murder mystery evening. You show a rate for adults and children, my two younger children are 9 & 12. Would this evening be OK for their age? They both love games like clue, etc and fascinated with "who done it" mysteries.. I want to ensure the material is appropriate. Thanks for your reply!
Maria
Maria,
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry. I have forwarded it on to the appropriate people at the mansion and requested that they contact you with the information you need.
Good luck, sounds like a great deal of fun!
Pat Watson
Editor