Movies

The Dark Secrets Behind The Gilded Age’s Trips to Newport

BBG News

In the ongoing third season of HBO’s series “The Gilded Age,” there are many mentions of Newport, Rhode Island. This coastal town was a favorite summer destination for the high-society folks of New York during that time. The show depicts various characters participating in tennis tournaments, card games, and extravagant parties at their vacation mansions in Newport.

In the recently-aired episode of The Gilded Age, entitled “Love Is Never Easy,” we revisit Newport as Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), a driven writer and secretary to socialite Agnes van Rhijn, journeys there with her parents to convalesce at a cousin’s home following a prolonged illness. During her stay, Peggy finds herself pursued by the physician who attends to her health needs, and uncovers that his family holds significant influence within Newport’s African-American community.

Here’s what to know about the history of this popular seaside city and its residents.

How Newport became a summer destination for the rich

By the 18th century, well-off southerners frequently traveled north to Newport as a means to avoid malaria and yellow fever epidemics on their plantations. Interestingly, in the year 1884 – as per Nicole Jeri Williams, Curator of Collections at The Preservation Society of Newport County – Newport started transforming into the premier summer retreat for the wealthy from New York City.

The series depicts an specific era marked by exceptionally fast industrial expansion. During this timeframe, as Williams clarifies, the robber barons accumulated their immense wealth due to this rapid growth. This period was also characterized by minimal government intervention and regulation, creating a truly free-market economic climate. There was no federal income tax during that time, leading to the formation of the colossal industrial fortunes of the Gilded Age. Many of these individuals often spent their summers in Newport.

In the era known as the Gilded Age, wealthy individuals from New York who had earned their wealth through industries like railways, mining, shipping, and banking were frequently attracted to the expansive estates in Newport that boasted breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the television show, Ward McAllister, portrayed by Nathan Lane, was a prominent figure known for initiating the fashion of taking vacations in Newport. He captivated high society with his Southern drawl, anecdotes from Europe, and essentially played the role of a refined snob. As described by Williams, he lived “as a professional snob.” He served as Caroline Schermerhorn Astor’s companion, who held significant influence over social status, deciding who was ‘in’ and who was ‘out.’ Spending considerable time at her Newport estate, Beechwood, McAllister began to lose favor among the socialites when he leaked stories about them to the media. His trust was completely shattered after publishing his 1890 exposé titled Society as I Have Found It.

Mamie Fish (played by Ashlie Atkinson) is another well-known figure from Newport who was famous for organizing some of the city’s most memorable events. She had a knack for planning themed parties, such as one where guests were encouraged to dress up as characters from nursery rhymes and speak in baby talk. At times, she even arranged special dinners for dogs, offering gourmet meals specifically prepared for their discerning tastes. The lavish feasts were so abundant that a dachshund ended up passing out from overeating, and the event was subsequently criticized in the press as an emblem of the Gilded Age’s opulence and indulgence.

Back then and now, the Cliff Walk served as more than just a scenic path alongside the opulent residences; it was also a separate social sphere in itself, as described by Williams. It offered a unique vantage point to peek into these grand houses, but for the servants, it was a place for leisure activities such as swimming, socializing over drinks, and dancing.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: In the sweltering summer months, even without owning a summer residence in Newport, the elite of New York city made it a priority to sail their way to this vibrant seaport town. To illustrate, the illustrious JP Morgan himself didn’t possess a summer home there, but he’d set sail on his yacht, casting his line for a catch in the sparkling waters of Newport.

Newport’s thriving community of Black Americans

Since the 17th century, individuals with roots in Africa have resided in Newport. This city is also where you’ll find one of the nation’s earliest graveyards dedicated to both enslaved and free African descendants.

By the year 1884, schools in Rhode Island had been integrating for close to twenty decades. This reflects the extended history of African American life in New England and particularly Rhode Island, as depicted through the characters on The Gilded Age. Keep in mind that slavery was phased out across New England during the early 19th century, meaning that by the 1880s, we were dealing with generations who had been free for up to 40 years in a place like Newport.

Keith Stokes, holding the title of Rhode Island’s historian laureate, is a descendant of the real-life individual who served as the inspiration for the pastor character in “The Gilded Age,” whose physician son was courting Peggy Scott. Known as Reverend Mahlon Van Horne within the series and portrayed by Brian Stokes Mitchell, this pastor led Newport’s Union Colored Congregational Church. Van Horne made history as the first person of color elected to the Newport school board, and the first African American member of Rhode Island’s General Assembly, where he played a significant role in the passage of early civil rights legislation. During the Spanish-American War, President McKinley appointed Van Horne as Special Counsel to the Danish West Indies. As Dunbar suggests, Van Horne’s political career is emblematic of the broader trend of Black elected officials serving during Reconstruction following the Civil War.

In essence, Stokes says he was a pioneer, similar to Martin Luther King Jr. and other black ministers from the 20th century. These influential figures combined their religious beliefs with social justice advocacy, pushing for equal rights. He was indeed one of the most impactful African-American leaders during that period in American history.

During the bustling summer season, an abundance of profitable ventures flourished in the hands of Black business owners like myself. Along the grand Bellevue Avenue, a variety of enterprises sprang up – transportation, tailoring, hair salons and barber shops, catering, and personal maid services, all catering to the influx of vacationers.

Mary Dickerson, who features in the final episode of the season, opened a dressmaking business on Bellevue Avenue, serving the summer visitors. On the show, she assists Dorothy Scott (played by Audra McDonald), Peggy Scott’s mother, in choosing a ball gown. In real life, Mary Dickerson was involved in women’s rights advocacy. She co-founded the Women’s Newport League in 1895, which established a daycare within the city. A year later, she became a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and in 1903, she initiated the first federation of African American Women’s Clubs in Rhode Island.

As a cinephile with a keen interest in history, I’d like to highlight an intriguing detail from the backdrop of Newport during the Gilded Age: There were three African heritage medical professionals gracing this era. Though Dr. Kirkland may not be a literal historical figure, Stokes envisions him as a blend of the remarkable Black healthcare providers who thrived in Newport at that time.

My great-great-uncle, Alonzo Van Horne, was a pioneer himself, being the first dentist of African descent in Rhode Island. And Marcus Wheatland, often referred to as ‘the doctor of the swells,’ was not only a respected medical practitioner but also a trailblazer in the field of X-rays, utilizing them as groundbreaking diagnostic tools.

In the third season of “The Gilded Age,” I aim to show viewers the vibrant lives and prosperity of Black generations, as portrayed by our Black characters in Newport. The array of characters offers a deep and nuanced insight into Black America during that era.

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2025-07-08 05:06

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