Rough Point

One of the most famous mansions in Newport, RI, “Rough Point” is set upon the eastern bluffs of the city. The house, first built in 1871, was purchased by Frederick William Vanderbilt as a summer estate. Desiring many improvements, he hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design the landscape in 1887. With the notable Peabody & Stearns as the project architects, Olmsted worked to combine two parcels of land to create a sweeping landscape. As illustrated in a sketch, a stone bridge was designed in the front of the house to provide passage from the sea below (plan 01036-z7). In contrast to the manicured mansions of the area, the 11-acre property reflected Olmsted’s preference for embracing and highlighting the natural rugged scenery.

The home was later purchased by James Duke. The family restored many of the original elements of Olmsted’s design that had been destroyed by weather and age.