Vinland Estate


Vinland Estate was built at Ochre Point, Newport, Rhode Island, United States, in 1882 for tobacco heiress Catharine Lorillard Wolfe by Peabody & Stearns. The Romanesque Revival style exterior consists of red sandstone with Aesthetic Movement style elements. Interior elements include designs by William Morris, windows by Burne-Jones, and landscaping by Ernest Bowditch.

History

Ms Wolfe is reported to have had the home built, inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Skeleton in Armor". It is named after the first spot on which the old Norsemen are supposed to have landed on their historic voyage across the ocean. It was built with theme of a Viking settlement and includes a Roman Dolium by the entrance. The exterior features window casing carvings of fruit and vines.
In 1896, Vinland was sold to railroad tycoon Hamilton McKown Twombly and his wife Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly. The Twomblys enlarged the house considerably between 1907 and 1910. The interior at this time was recreated by Ogden Codman. In 1955, Mrs. Twombly's daughter, Florence Burden, donated the estate to Salve Regina University. The main building is currently called McAuley Hall.