Blithewold Mansion is a tranquil, 33-acre summer estate with sweeping views of Narragansett Bay. It was purchased and renovated into a summer home in 1894 by Augustus Van Wickle, an outsider to Newport social circles whose wealth came from his family’s coal-mining business. This estate is nationally significant as one of the most authentically intact examples of the Country Place Era: a period of landscape design during which wealthy Americans commissioned extensive gardens at their country estates to emulate European gardens they had seen in their travels.
Newport Classical concerts are set in a tent on Blithewold’s Great Lawn. The surrounding grounds, gardens, and arboretum are well worth exploring before or after the concert. You’ll find more than 300 species of woody plants, a towering bamboo grove, and many floral and decorative nods to the American Arts and Crafts movement.
PARKING
Free on-site parking available on a first-come first-served basis. Since spaces are limited, we suggest members of the same household carpool when possible. Additional parking will be made available on the Blithewold property; however, it will require a moderate walk to the tent. We suggest patrons allow at least 20 minutes to park and walk to the tent.
Limited accessible parking available by advance reservation. Should you have a handicap accessible parking tag for your vehicle, please contact the Box Office at info@newportclassical.org to reserve an accessible parking spot close to the venue.
ACCESSIBILITY
Partially wheelchair accessible due to a gravel parking lot. Accessible restrooms. We recommend comfortable shoes for this venue.