A Gilded Age Christmas: Decorating the Vanderbilts' Marble House

Tour Highlights:

• Explore the opulent rooms of Alva Vanderbilt's $11 million birthday present from her husband William
• Hear first-hand about the extensive planning that goes into decorating a Gilded Age landmark for the holidays
• Discover what it was like to live in a house made with 500,000 cubic feet of marble
• Enjoy a private viewing of the Grand Salon and learn why it is called “The Gold Room"
• Learn tricks and techniques for decorating trees from Jim Donahue, who has been decking the halls of the Newport Mansions since 2006

About this Event:

Jim Donahue and Maria D'Amario will usher members through Marble House, the Gilded Age palace built for Alva Vanderbilt, on an exclusive virtual tour. Jim will explain his approach to decorating some of the impossibly opulent rooms in Marble House with giant Christmas trees, endless strings of lights, ornate figurines, fresh flowers, and more. Maria will provide historical insights into how the Vanderbilts used each room we see. See how the already stunning home is made even more magical for the holidays!

About Your Guides:

Jim Donahue is the Curator of Historic Landscapes and Horticulture for the Preservation Society of Newport County. A Massachusetts native, Donahue has been with the Preservation Society since 2004 and has overseen the holiday decorations at the Newport Mansions since 2006. He also serves as the Horticulture Chairperson of the Newport Flower Show.

Maria D'Amario has been a guide with The Preservation Society Of Newport County since 2019. She is a team leader at Marble House, where she has been leading tours through the storied Vanderbilt mansion since 2020. She also gives tours at a number of other Newport Mansions.