By: Emily Mikolay | Staff Writer
Christmas at the Newport Mansions has become a tradition for many Rhode Islanders. With the pandemic in full swing, many aspects of our daily lives have changed. The Preservation Society of Newport County is trying its hardest to make sure that this yearly festivity continues to happen in 2020.
For the first time ever, The Breakers exterior will be lit up in a new experience called “Sparkling Lights at the Breakers: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland”. In addition to the indoor venue, visitors can now access the exterior and landscape of the mansion in festive lights, illuminating the façade and trees around the property.
Typically, The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House would all be decorated for the holidays. However this year, only The Breakers and The Elms will be open to the public.
The Curator of Historic Landscapes and Horticulture for The Preservation Society, Jim Donahue, said that this has been a long-term goal for the Society: “Well, we’ve made a three-year commitment to do this. It’s not just for this year. It’s something that we wanted to do and because of the pandemic we are pushing it forward.”
The Society is also making sure that everyone is still staying safe during the pandemic.
Carolina, a Guide Associate at The Preservation Society, says that there have been many adjustments to the way the mansions are run in order to keep everyone safe. “We all have to use masks, then a couple of the rooms are closed because they have narrow passages, then we put some partitions in the house, so people don’t go against each other.”
The Breakers and the Elms will be open daily from November 21st through January 10th, 12:00 to 8:00 pm. Sparkling lights go on at 4:00pm. Tickets are available at the Newport Mansion’s website, but no reservations are required.
If you get the opportunity, head to the Mansions this holiday season! It is the perfect night out to really get you in the Christmas Spirit!
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Photo Credit:
“Newport Mansions” by gapplewagen is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
