A Legacy in Bristol

By Linda Tancs

Blithewold (meaning “happy woodland” in Old English) is an estate in Bristol, Rhode Island, that chronicles the Van Wickle, McKee and Lyon families. Shunning the nearby grandeur of Newport, the story begins with the wealthy couple Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle, who purchased the property in 1894 to create a rural retreat on Narragansett Bay. It’s one of the few late 19th and early 20th century New England estates that retains its integrity and authenticity down to the details of plant materials and interior furnishings, family archives and artifacts present in the 45-room mansion. It’s also one of the most fully-developed and intact examples of the Country Place Era in the United States and represents the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement in the country. The 33-acre estate features gardens that combine layouts from the 1800s with contemporary settings. Opening times vary with the season.