It was like a scene out of HBO’s “The Gilded Age,” with historic horse-drawn carriages traversing along Bellevue Ave, Ocean Drive, and stopping by several of The Preservation of Newport County’s (PSNC) mansions. For three days, the “Weekend of Coaching” graced the streets and mansions with impeccably preserved 19th-century coaches, each drawn by four magnificent horses by their “whips”—drivers known for their four-in-hand skills. The revived custom occurs every three years and this past weekend’s event perhaps helped those of us still suffering withdrawal from the conclusion of S3 of Gilded Age.
Brought to town by the Coaching Club of New York, the marvelous exhibition of horse-drawn coaches were stabled at PSNC’s Chateau sur-Mer all weekend. Fourteen four-in-hand coaches took part in the exhibition, with six carriages parading past the iconic mansions on Bellevue—including The Elms, Isaac Bell House, Marble House and Kingscote—before turning onto Memorial Blvd and entertaining beachgoers at Second Beach as they drove past on Friday. The elegant, ornate coaches culminated their drive with a scenic view at Greenvale Vineyards. Before the coaching participants embarked on the stunning lawn lunch—donned in garden dresses, hats and gloves—they posed for the public with their carriages. The evening drive took the coaches across the Newport Country Club, along Ocean Ave., and ended with a private dinner at Rosecliff.
A tradition since Gilded Age times, the Coaching Club of New York has been bringing the nostalgic carriages—originally used as mail coaches before the railroad industry replaced their vocation—to the island’s vibrant social scene since the 1960’s. In its 150th year, the Club can count such luminaries as the Wetmores, Bells, Vanderbilts and Belmonts as active members, who brought their refined carriages to the area for polo, the races and the Casino. Preservation Society revived the sport in 1968, making it an every-three-years tradition in keeping with the Gilded Age theme that has enlivened Newport. This year’s luminaries arrived from across the country, including Florida, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Illinois.
Saturday morning was the main draw for the public, with a demonstration of the four-in-hand technique at The Elms, followed by a drive through The Breakers’ grounds. Private lunches and dinners accented the weekend pageantry, with the formal dinner dance at The Breakers the ultimate social event for the season. As if this year’s summer in Newport hasn’t seen enough—including that incredible S3 Gilded Age finale!—it’s a reminder of the City by the Sea’s long history as the American birthplace of coaching. I mean, come on, Newport had the original U.S. Open, the oldest polo club in America, the largest collection of Gilded Age mansions within a small radius, and now the origin of American coaching. We are just constantly reminded of why this is such a jewel within the heart of New England.
The Atlantic Ocean made the perfect backdrop for the spectacle of driving coaches as they traversed Ocean Drive on the last day. Plenty of spectators lined along Brenton Point State Park to catch a glimpse of the finely tuned precision of the coaching tradition. It’s another example of how Newport society continues to define and safeguard the Gilded Age. In its historic 150th year, the traditional spectacle made for an unforgettable summer in Newport this year.If you want to relive the weekend or learn more about the history of coaching in Newport, there is a dedicated exhibit at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, which continues through Sept. 7.
Photo Gallery
All photos by Vernoica Bruno for What’sUpNewp
Images of the drive on Friday, including the coaches on Bellevue Ave., turning the corner at Indian Ave. & Peckham and the social lunch at Greenvale Vineyards.
A view of the coaches on Sunday on Ocean Ave., at Brenton Point State Park, and then at Marble House, where they had their last private lunch.
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