Preservation Society Says Vanderbilt Letter "Rife with Inaccuracies"

The Preservation Society of Newport County has responded to letter signed by 21 members of the Vanderbilt family, including designer and artist Gloria Vanderbilt, that calls for a change in the leadership tone, accused the society of exploiting The Breakers and sharply criticized the society’s plans to build a welcome center at the historic site.

“The letter is rife with inaccuracies, and it is regrettable that these inaccuracies have led some members of the family to be displeased with our stewardship and operations,” the society said in a statement.

SEE: Vanderbilt Family Pens Letter Saying Preservation Society is Exploiting Breakers Mansion

The Breakers Mansion is the former summer cottage of the iconic Vanderbilt family and is the crown jewel in the Preservation Society’s collection of mansions that woo visitors from across the globe.

The Vanderbilts sold the breakers to the society in 1972 with no restrictions, pledges or promises “at a premium price,” an attorney who negotiated the sale said.

“Since then the Society has spent over 20 million dollars preserving, restoring and maintaining the building. That expenditure continues today at a rate of about $1.5 million per year,” the statement read.

“The Preservation Society’s mission is to protect, preserve and present The Breakers and its other historic houses. There are many facets and manifestations to accomplishing this mission. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Preservation Society’s interpretation of this National Historic Landmark is the most highly visitor-valued historic house experience in America. Attendance at The Breakers is at an all-time high and financial support for the Preservation Society has reached record levels, with more than $1,000,000 contributed to its Annual Fund in the fiscal year just ended,” the statement continued.

That support has helped the society make much needed improvements and investments in the property, the statement said, such as a preservation project in the underground boiler room at The Breakers, along with the removal of previously-damaged fence sections that were removed for restoration.

“No permanent changes to the landscape occurred,” the society said. “No specimen trees were harmed by the fence removal. No other trees were removed except for those blocking access to the underground boiler room. Our goal is to open the boiler room to public tours in the future.”

In regards to the welcome center, which has been the source of a protracted legal battle between the society and the powerful Bellevue-Ochre Point Neighborhood Association, the society quoted the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission by saying it “will not alter the historic character of The Breakers.”

“This year the Preservation Society is celebrating 70 years of exemplary stewardship. This includes acknowledging our founders and early supporters and their families through many communications channels, including social media. We have employed portraits of Alice Vanderbilt, wife of the builder; her daughter, the Countess Széchényi; and Katherine Warren, our founding leader. In 2014 members of the Vanderbilt family were paid $90,000 for the portrait of Countess Széchényi in question. The Preservation Society of Newport County owns that portrait. As we celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2015, the Preservation Society is showcasing this beautiful painting, paying homage to one of its earliest supporters.”

Though the design and scale of the welcome center project shows an intent to blend with the landscape on the grounds of the 70-room former cottage to the Vanderbilt family, objectors have said that it would violate the integrity of the historic site and opens the door to commercial activity.

The Newport Zoning Board earlier this year approved the plan and a lawyer for the Bellevue-Ochre Point Neighborhood Association, which staunchly opposed the plan, appealed the decision.

The Preservation Society of Newport County applied for a special use permit to construct the $4.2 million visitors center to offer ticketing services and restrooms along with offering light food fare, such as sandwiches and snacks.

The Zoning Board’s vote in January followed months of litigation. The city’s Historic District Commission rejected the plan on the basis it didn’t meet historical standards for the area. The Zoning Board overturned that decision, which was appealed by the neighborhood association to Superior Court. That appeal, along with the dismissal of a separate lawsuit, ended up kicked back to the Zoning Board, which finally rendered a decision after months of hearings and a spirited public debate.

The iconic Vanderbilt family built the Breakers Mansion on Ochre Point Avenue between 1893 and 1895. It is the crown jewel in the collection of properties Preservation Society of Newport County manages and is considered a prime example of Gilded Age architecture.