A Chinese Tea House and Women's Right to Vote
While touring various seaports on the East Coast this past Summer, I had occasion to visit the mansions in Newport RI and this Chinese Tea House sits on the grounds of one of those mansions.
It seemed odd to see something like this on the grounds of a mansion built in the early 1900's but there it was, fully restored to it's original colors and splendor.
The story goes like this. Mrs Alva Vanderbilt after divorcing her husband William, remarried Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont and purchased the land and built their summer home, The Marble House, just down the street from the William Vanderbilt summer home. After Mr Belmont died, Alva Vanderbilt Belmont dedicated herself , her fortune and entire estate to the Women's Suffrage movement. She built this Tea House to have teas and parties to raise funds for the Women's right to vote.
This Tea House was restored in 2006 to reflect the original character and colors of the original that Alva Vanderbilt Belmont had constructed.
It sits on the back of the lot right near the waters edge of the Atlantic. It seemed to me to be such an oddity amidst the grand homes but when you know the whole story of why it there, it seems to make much more sense as to why it was restored and remains a significant part of elite Newport history.
While visiting, I ate lunch here which serves as a little non-permanent cafe selling sandwiches and beverages to the visitors of the estate. At other times, it can be rented out for small parties or social events.
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