The Grange, Newport

Built circa 1880, for the widowed General James H. Van Alen (1819-1886). This long (100 feet), narrow (40 feet) summer cottage was designed by Clarence Sumner Luce (1852-1924) and was built at the comparatively low price of just $13,000. Architecturally, it was a mix of several styles. General Van Alen (like his son, Jimmy) was a well-known Anglophile and the fireplace in the hall featured a large English mantel with a hunting scene carved into it, supported by carved gargoyles. The two-story pentagonal stained glass window bathed the staircase and hall in a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows and blues. The drawing room was the largest room (1,000 square feet) and unusually for the time there was a children's dining room for the old General's beloved grandchildren....