This unique Chinese Tea House abuts the seaside cliffs behind Marble House and is currently the site of Newport Classical’s beloved sunrise concerts. The lavish Marble House mansion, built between 1888 and 1892, was designed by famed architect Richard Morris Hunt and inspired by the Trianon at Versailles. It was given to Alva Vanderbilt by her husband, William, for her 39th birthday. After Alva and William divorced, Alva married Oliver H.P. Belmont and moved down the street to Belcourt. Upon Oliver’s passing in 1908, Alva re-opened Marble House, and commissioned Richard and Joseph Howland Hunt to design a Chinese garden pavilion on the estate grounds.
The Hunts journeyed to Southern China to research the project, where they drew inspiration from 12th century Song Dynasty temple buildings with upswept eave ends and guardian animal figures. The interior decoration includes dark wooden panels painted in a Ming Dynasty style. Alva ultimately used the Tea House to host many suffragist rallies for a woman’s right to vote.
PARKING
Free parking available on the Marble House lawn. Enter via the main entrance to Marble House and staff will direct you to parking.
ACCESSIBILITY
Not wheelchair accessible. The entry to the Chinese Tea House is surrounded by stairs. Restrooms are located on the basement level down a somewhat steep set of stairs.