Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. The public will enjoy free viewing of the colorful and historic coaches every day, as they drive through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old sporting tradition. Approximately a dozen coaching teams will come to Newport from around the country.
In addition, there will be a free-to-the-public driving exhibition on the grounds of The Elms at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, August 22.
The weekend will include a formal Dinner Dance at The Breakers on Saturday evening, August 22. SOLD OUT
The Breakers Stable & Carriage House will house some of the horses, and will be closed to public tours during Coaching Weekend. Additional horses and carriages will be housed in temporary stables at Chateau-sur-Mer. Learn more about the history of The Breakers Stable and one of the most famous coaches in history, Alfred Vanderbilt’s Venture.
History of Coaching
The tradition of coaching grew out of the 18th and 19th century mail runs in England, which later made their way across the Atlantic to the United States. The horse-drawn mail coaches were eventually replaced by railroads, but nostalgia led to the development of coaching as a sport. The Coaching Club of New York was formed in the latter part of the 19th century, eventually becoming part of the social fabric of Newport in the summer. The Wetmores, the Bells, the Vanderbilts and the Belmonts were all active members, bringing their coaches together to go to the races, the polo games, and the Casino.
The two types of open-air vehicles used in the sport of coaching—a Road Coach and the slightly smaller Park Drag—employ a team of four horses. All seating is outside, with the driver, known as a “whip,” sitting in the slightly elevated right front seat, and the whip’s wife or female relative taking up the “box seat” on the left. The rear bench of the coach holds at least two specialized footmen called grooms. Two center benches can hold up to 10 passengers.
Click here to view the maps of the daily coaching drive routes
The “whips” (as the drivers are referred to in the sport of coaching) who are expected to attend are: Mr. S. Tucker S. Johnson, of Hobe Sound, Florida, President of the Coaching Club; Ms. Gloria Austin, of Weirsdale, Florida; Dr. Timothy J. Butterfield, of Derry, New Hampshire; Mr. Frederick E. Eayrs, Jr., of Middleboro, Massachusetts; Mr. Walter F. Eayrs, of Mapleville, Rhode Island; Mr. William G. Ginns, of Skeffington, Leicester, United Kingdom; Mr. James Granito, of Southern Pines, North Carolina; Mr. John Frazier Hunt, of Spring City, Pennsylvania; Mr.Herbert Kohler, of Kohler, Wisconsin; Mr. Charles T. Matheson of Middleburg, Virginia; Mr.James Mather Miller and Mrs. Misdee Miller, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; Sir Paul Nicholson, of Durham, United Kingdom; Mr. Louis G. Piancone, of Gladstone, New Jersey; Mr. Harvey W. Waller, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts; Mr. Glenn Werry, Jr. of Edwards, Illinois; Mr. George A. Weymouth, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; and Mr. John White, of Newton, New Jersey.
photos and info via The Preservation Society
