Fall River, here we come!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sun May 06, 2007 2:22 pm

Kat and I will be in Fall River the week of the 14th. Plan to spend the first two nights at the B&B. Kat's got Bridget's room and I have the Knowlton room.

We plan to have a loose schedule but still visit all the Borden sites. I love Oak Grove and its fun to recognize the names of people we've all read about as you walk the paths.

We will probably make a visit to Newport and try to get on a tour of a mansion or two.

Keep your fingers crossed for us that we have good weather.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Sun May 06, 2007 3:28 pm

Great News Harry- I put in an order for sun. We have had a lovely week- chilly today with morning sprinkles but it has turned into a sunny day. Bring a jacket!

Spent yesterday in Oak Grove with Len and Cemetery Jeff visiting all our old friends. I was glad to see the pathetic old diseased tree on the Terry plot finally cut down. Cleaned off Lizzie's grave, which boasted a yucky old votive candle and some coins and 2 blue roses. Oak Grove is now locked at twilight- I guess beccause some stones have been overturned. Looking forward to seeing you in about a week. The pansies are blooming

and May is the perfect time to see New England. Just wait until you see the view of the house from Main Street!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun May 06, 2007 10:32 pm

Thanks Shell!
Any month is a great month to see New England!

Yay!

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:13 am

Harry and Kat, I envy you guys. The last time i was back visiting Fall River and family was in May 2005. May can be a real beautiful month in New England. Here's one of my favorite locations in Newport that I visited that trip.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132 ... CF0053.jpg

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:17 am

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:26 am

Ya, I can see myself living here

joe · Post by **joe** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:43 am

Hey Kat and Harry! Y'all have a great time! I'll be thinking of you both, not without some envy.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:06 am

Have a great time you guys!! I too am filled with envy!!

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Mon May 07, 2007 8:58 am

Hope both of you have a wonderful time! I'll be thinking of you guys and wishing I was there too.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Mon May 07, 2007 8:58 am

Oh Steve! That first mansion is my favorite -I have always called it "Chimneys" but I believe it is actually called Fairwinds. The cream -colored mansion with the big greek columns is Crossways- and I could be very comfy in either one! Fairwinds was on the market in 1972 for $17,000 dollars! But the back taxes owed on it were in the millions!

The leaves have all popped out this weekend with the warm weather. All the fruit trees are in blossom, the first orioles have appeared, flowers are bursting out and this is the perfect time to come on up!

I thought of you Steve, yesterday as I took a roll of mill shots. Poor sad old things- a vestige of their former glory.

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:43 am

Thanks for thinking of me Shelley

I am getting more homesick with each passing day and each visit to the forum but you guys have a way of sharing that makes everyone feel like they are right there along with you. That has always been one of my favorite corners in Newport on 12 mile drive to just stop and reflect at. All of the mansions are beautiful in their own right but I guess my favorite is "Marble House". I agree with you Shelley that I have always felt a sadness for the mills. They are a far cry form their Grandeur days. They are still oppcupied for the most part by smaller companies that may take a floor or 2 in the mills but that don't have the connection to the mill like in former days. They are just tenants. Fall Riverites have always had a love/hate relationship with the mills. They are a symbol of long hours hard work but also of a means to a steady income to live by. Not to get rich like the mill owners but to live paycheck to paycheck. A place where one could always find work.

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:46 am

Shelley.....$17,000? Wow You, Jeff and all the other local Bordenites and myself could have come up with the millions in backtaxes.

That could have been our "summer" retreat.

bobarth · Post by **bobarth** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:55 am

You all have fun, and I know you will!!!!!

I know I was just there, but I envy you also!

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:07 pm

Hi harry, I have just been hired as a tour guide so maybe I'll meet you and Kat soon

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:27 pm

Good for you Jeff! What a great job to have!!!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:59 pm

Thanks all. I had a very enjoyable stay last year but it was just too short. Lee-ann, Shelley, Dee and Dave treated us royally. A stay at the house is a must.

Jeff, congratulations! Will be there Monday afternoon.

And SteveS, that's quite a house. I could take hanging my hat there a few days. It's hard to imagine the luxury some of these families lived in. We drove down Bellevue Ave. the last two trips but haven't been on a house tour yet. I want to try to see the Tennis Hall of Fame too.

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Mon May 07, 2007 4:21 pm

Congratulations, Jeff! What a fun job to have; you are so lucky!

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Mon May 07, 2007 4:46 pm

As I've already posted on another thread, The Breakers and Belcourt Castle are the two not to miss (though they're all worth a visit).

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:01 pm

YAY Kat and Harry! I hope you have a really nice stay. Add me to the list of people who will be thinking of you with more than a little envy. Best wishes for a wonderful trip for you both.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon May 07, 2007 8:57 pm

Oh, I hope you two have a wonderful and safe trip! Add me to the envious bunch *sigh* one of these days I'll get there.

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Mon May 07, 2007 9:34 pm

Kat & Harry----Hope you have a great trip and lots of fun. I agree that the Breakers is one of the best "summer cottages" to see. My favorite is Marble House because of the separate little tea house in the back. I remember years ago doing the Cliff Walk and seeing it in horrible disrepair. But it has been redone & really beautiful. I am so happy you'll get to stay at the B&B but I must add also a touch of envy.

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:27 pm

Nadzieja @ Mon May 07, 2007 10:34 pm wrote:I agree that the Breakers is one of the best "summer cottages" to see. My favorite is Marble House because of the separate little tea house in the back.

Perhaps that's the one I mean. (My memory is a bit hazy. It's been a while.)

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:12 am

The Breakers is incredible!! I was in there a few weeks ago. The bedrooms alone are bigger than my house LOL

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:00 am

"APRIL 7 – MAY 25

The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff & Green Animals Topiary Garden

Open Daily

The Breakers opens at 9 am, all others open at 10 am. Last tour admission all houses at 5 pm, houses and grounds close at 6 pm."

The Breakers is $16 and the others are $11.
1-401-847-1000

I've toured Biltmore Estate twice so I'll see how these summer cottages compare.

Thanks for the good wishes and good tips you guys!

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:10 am

Although not one of the Preservation Society properties, The Astor's Beechwood http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/ is one of my favorites over the years I lived in Newport, as roleplaying actors serve as tour guides and one really feels as if it were 1880's Newport. It is impossible to get the guides out of character.

For lovers of Eastlake , Chateau Sur Mer cannot be beat. The wood work, stained glass and furnishings are unbelievable although the furnishings are not original to the house. When Miss Edith Peabody Wetmore died, virtually everything was tossed out. Great pains have been taken to reproduce the furnishings and accessories which might have been there in the late Victorian era including a gentleman's boutonniere stand and a magnificent carved black walnut diningroom dresser thick with carved Bacchus and grape clusters dripping from the shelves and drawers. Miss Edith's little face as a child appears on one of the angels in the heavenly cerulean oval over the mammoth diningroom table. Newport in May- absolutely divine. The place to eat is LaForge Casino porch overlooking the Tennis Hall of Fame. Harry- you will love the Canfield's Restaurant too, and the Tennis Hall of Fame Museum with its vintage vignettes of days gone by.

Evenings along Ocean Drive are memorable, especially in the moonlight -and sunny Sunday afternoons watching the kiteflyers near Ft. Adams Point. Impossible to see it all in just a few days- you must stay longer, Kat! Of course, then you may never go home again!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:08 am

Thanks for the info, Shell!

Lee-ann said they are filming something for Showtime in Providence now? In case anyone wants to go see that..

I don't get that channel tho.
.........

I like the style of The Elms. But then I read this:
"Mrs. Berwind died in 1922, and Mr. Berwind invited his sister, Julia, to become his hostess at his New York and Newport houses. Mr. Berwind died in 1936 and Miss Julia continued to summer at The Elms until her death in 1961, at which time the house and most of its contents were sold at public auction. The Preservation Society of Newport County purchased The Elms in 1962 and opened the house to the public. In 1996, The Elms was designated a National Historic Landmark."
http://tickets.newportmansions.org/mansion.aspx?id=1002

I wasn't really interested in seeing a recreation of the interiors there.
I like the style of Rosecliff too.

terrie · Post by **terrie** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:25 pm

I am sure you all will have a wonderful trip -- and I look forward to hearing of your travels as I will be going in June with my niece (it'll be our first visit ever).

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:04 pm

Your first visit ever?
You probably won't be able to sleep until June in anticipation!

terrie · Post by **terrie** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:07 pm

It's getting hard --- having to focus on daily life, going to work and all, too. My niece is totally psyched up!

I look forward to your recent, first hand accounts :)

terrie · Post by **terrie** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:50 pm

It just occurred to me that you will be going tomorrow! Have a great and safe trip!