Eleven historic 19th-century coaches pulled by four-horse teams will clip-clop through Newport’s streets Aug. 15-17 as the city hosts its triennial Weekend of Coaching.
The Preservation Society of Newport County is partnering with the Coaching Club of America to bring the colorful spectacle back to the City by the Sea, continuing a tradition rooted in Europe’s 18th-century mail runs that became a favored pastime of America’s Gilded Age elite.
The public can watch the coaches travel through Newport streets and mansion grounds throughout the weekend at no charge. A free driving exhibition will be held on The Elms grounds starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, offering close-up views of each team while drivers share details about their horses and coaches’ histories.
“Every three years, we look forward to the return of Coaching Weekend,” said Trudy Coxe, the Preservation Society’s CEO and executive director. “It is a true spectacle, and I hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of this vanishing tradition.”
The weekend kicks off Friday morning as coaches depart Chateau-sur-Mer at 9:30 a.m., traveling north on Bellevue Avenue past The Elms, Isaac Bell House and Kingscote before heading to area beaches and ending at a private lunch at Greenvale Vineyard.
Saturday’s highlight is the public exhibition at The Elms, where spectators can watch the coaches maneuver around the mansion’s back lawn. Preservation Society members will have access to an exclusive viewing tent. The grounds open at 9 a.m., but onsite parking will fill quickly, organizers warn.
The coaches will first drive through The Breakers grounds around 10:10 a.m. before arriving at The Elms for the 10:30 a.m. exhibition.
Sunday morning’s final drive begins at 10:15 a.m. from Chateau-sur-Mer, traveling through the city and along Ocean Avenue around Brenton Point before ending at Marble House.
Fourteen drivers, known as “Whips” in coaching circles, are expected to participate, including Coaching Club President S. Tucker S. Johnson and World Equestrian Games gold medalist Misdee Wrigley Miller.
The weekend also includes a $1,000-$2,500 dinner dance Saturday night at The Breakers honoring the participating drivers.
The sport uses two types of open-air vehicles — the Road Coach and the smaller Park Drag — each pulled by four horses. All seating is outdoors, with drivers taking the elevated right front seat and specialized footmen called grooms occupying the rear bench. The center benches can accommodate up to 10 passengers.
Coaching became popular among Newport’s summer elite in the late 19th century after railroads replaced horse-drawn mail coaches. Prominent families including the Wetmores, Bells, Vanderbilts and Belmonts brought their coaches to races, polo matches and the Casino.
A behind-the-scenes panel discussion will be held Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4-5 p.m. at Rosecliff and via Zoom, featuring Miller, weekend Coaching Chair Walter F. Eayrs, and driving manager Melissa Warner. Tickets range from $10-$20.
All driving times are approximate and routes may change based on road and weather conditions. Dogs are not permitted at The Elms during the exhibition, except certified service animals.
Route maps and additional information are available at newportmansions.org/events/a-weekend-of-coaching-2025.
