This spring, fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age will have a rare opportunity to step into the world of Julian Fellowes’s Emmy-winning historical drama—literally.
The Preservation Society of Newport County is launching a guided experience, Inside “The Gilded Age” Tour, which will take visitors through four of Newport’s most iconic mansions—Marble House, The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, and The Elms—each of which served as filming locations for the series. The tour will run Fridays from May 2 through June 27, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and will be capped at 12 guests per session.
The tour offers more than just a glimpse at gilded ceilings and lavish décor. Expert guides will lead guests through specific rooms featured in Seasons 1 and 2, providing insight into the show’s production and the real Gilded Age families who once inhabited these historic estates. The mansions, all National Historic Landmarks, have also served as backdrops for scenes in the upcoming third season, which debuts on HBO and Max in June.
“Many fans of The Gilded Age are ‘set-jetters’ who love to visit the places where it was filmed,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO of the Preservation Society. “With this tour, you not only see these fabulous rooms, you also learn about the creative process that brings them to life in the show.”
Highlights include:
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The Elms, transformed into both the Russell family’s Newport home and their Manhattan kitchen.
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Marble House, where real-life Vanderbilt bedrooms became Bertha and George Russell’s onscreen chambers.
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Chateau-sur-Mer, the site of Mrs. Fish’s doll tea party and various scenes involving the van Rhijn family.
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The Breakers, which hosted pivotal moments including a game of billiards between George Russell and Alderman Morris and the grand debutante ball for Gladys Russell.
The tour begins and ends at Newport’s Gateway Transportation Center and includes bus transport between properties. Tickets and additional details are available at www.newportmansions.org/events/inside-the-gilded-age-tour.
Enthusiasts seeking further immersion can explore the Preservation Society’s companion web feature, “Deep Dive into the Show,” which offers detailed episode-by-episode commentary and behind-the-scenes analysis.
With interest in The Gilded Age continuing to rise, the tour offers an immersive lens into both the drama and the dazzling reality of America’s most opulent era.
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