NEWPORT, R.I. — The opulence of The Gilded Age is stepping off the screen and into real life this summer, as the The Preservation Society of Newport County revives its popular behind-the-scenes mansion tour.
The “Inside The Gilded Age” experience returns May 12 through Aug. 28, offered on select Tuesdays and Fridays. The guided program invites visitors into four iconic properties—Marble House, The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer and The Elms—all chosen by creator Julian Fellowes for their architectural authenticity and cinematic presence.
Led by expert guides, the tour reveals how grand salons, gilded staircases and intimate quarters were transformed into key settings for the Emmy-winning drama. Guests will learn which scenes were filmed in each room, hear stories from production, and gain historical context that deepens the connection between Newport’s Gilded Age past and its modern-day portrayal.
“The houses and rooms are not identified in the show by their real names,” said CEO Trudy Coxe. “This tour offers fans a chance to discover exactly where those moments came to life.”
The itinerary highlights memorable spaces across the properties—from the kitchens and corridors of The Elms, reimagined as the Russell household, to the Marble House dining room, where fictional society dinners unfold. At Chateau-sur-Mer, the ballroom and stair hall set the stage for social intrigue, while The Breakers’ richly detailed interiors host pivotal scenes of ambition and power.
Tours run from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., with transportation provided from the Gateway Transportation Center. Capacity is limited to 12 guests per session, with advance tickets required. newportmansions.org/events/inside-the-gilded-age-tour-2026
For viewers captivated by the series’ lavish world, the experience offers something rare: a chance to stand inside the very rooms where history—and television—intertwine.
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