Have you been watching the new season of The Gilded Age? I’ve been loving seeing Newport on screen, where the nouveau riche Russell family have just completed their home, with their (very handsome and eligible) son Larry testing out his architectural skills.

Taking a starring role as the Russell home is the Elms, a beautiful residence finished in 1901 in Newport for Mr and Mrs Edward Julius Berwind.

It was modelled on Château d’Asnières, a beautiful confection just outside Paris which was built in the 1750s.

In keeping with the riches of the Gilded Age, the Elms cost around $1.4million to create. It was designed by Horace Trumbaeur (not Larry Russell!), who was also prominent in Philadelphia, designing the Museum of art there.

The Berwind family summered in the house until 1961, when the mansion and most of what was inside were auctioned off.

In 1962 it was bought by the Preservation Society of Newport, who have operated it ever since.