Lesson Overview:
Students will study three Newport mansions: The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. Students will research the history, architect and architecture, and patron of each mansion to gain an understanding of the arts and culture of America's Gilded Age.
Length of Lesson:
Eight 45-minute periods
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- learn about the historical period, the Gilded Age
- identify the ways history influenced architecture and interior designs.
- interpret the patrons and the architects' intent in the exterior and interior of the buildings.
- learn how to identify various styles of architecture, and how architects use them to create a unique building.
- create small group visual presentations about the Newport mansions of the Gilded Age
Supplies:
- Paper and pens
- Computers with Internet access
- Optional: Powerpoint™ presentation software
- Optional: CD-rom - Historic Newport Mansions
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up:
Ask students to imagine they are the richest people in the United States and are going to build a second home just for use in the summer. What would it look like? Where would it be located? How would it be furnished? Ask students to record their thoughts in their journals. Give students several minutes to do this. Ask two or three students to share their writing with the class.
Direct Instruction:
Explain to students that during this unit, they will learn about the life, arts, and everday culture and society of citizens during the Gilded Age (1870-1910. Distribute the Newport and the Gilded Age handout to the students. Allow students some time to read and comprehend the information. Divide the students into pairs or small groups. Tell students that they will use the Internet to research general characteristics of the Gilded Age. Each group must cite 5 characteristics of the Gilded Age. Students may use the following two sites for their research: The Great Homes of America's Gilded Age and American Experience: The Gilded Age. Students can also try Google search engine, and use the search term "gilded age". Give students some time to complete their research.
Have each group discuss some of the facts they found out about this time period and how it compares and contrasts with today's society. You may wish to create a master list of the Web sites used for research by each group and distribute to the class for future reference.
Distribute the Characteristics of a Gilded Age Mansion handout. Divide the class into three groups. Each group will be assigned one of the Newport Mansions to research. Each group will use Powerpoint™ software or printed visuals to create an historical tour and visual presentation to the class.
Groups will be divided as follows: Group 1 - The Breakers, Group 2 - The Elms, and Group 3 - Marble House. Distribute the corresponding handouts: The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. Distribute to each group the Architecture Vocabulary handout.
Allow students ample time to read the handouts. Each student in the group may choose to become an expert in one specific area of the mansions such as the ground, exterior, first floor etc. Walk around to each group, offering suggestions and feedback about how to conduct their research and construct their presentation. Students should use the following sites to research each mansion:
The Breakers
The Elms
Marble House
Independent Study
Students should have at least 2-3 class hours and independent/homework time to research and prepare their presentation. Students may use the Study Questions handout to assist them in their research. (Note: you may add, delete, or create your own own study questions if you prefer.)
Have student groups make their presentation about each mansion. Allow time for class to ask questions and give feedback after each presentation
.
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to evaluate your students’ work.
Extensions:
- Explore a virtual tour of The Elms on PBS's American Experience site. Have students develop questions to address as they go through the tour.
- There are many historic homes, now museums, throughout the United States. Using this type of lesson format, students may develop their own interpretive plan on the historic houses near their home or school. This type of research/activity unit makes a field trip to an historic house more than "just a tour".
Sources:
Print:
- Aslet, C. The American Country House. Yugoslavia: CGP Delo Publishers, 1990.
- Balsam, C.V. The Glitter and The Gold. Great Britain: George Mann Books, 1973.
- Gaven, T. The Barons of Newport. Rhode Island: Pineapple Publications, 1998.
- Gregory, A. Families of Fortune: Life in the Gilded Age. New York: Vendome Press, 1993.
- Lewis, A. American country Houses of the Gilded Age. NY: Dover Publications, 1982.
- Preservation Society of Newport County. Guide to the Newport Mansions. Rhode Island; Fort Church Publishers, Inc., 1984.
- Preservation Society of Newport County. Newport Mansions, The Gilded Age. Rhode Island: Fort Church Publisher, 1996.
- Rector, M.H. Alva, That Vanderbilt Belmont Woman. Maine: Dutch Island Press, 1992.
- Vanderbilt, A.T. Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt. New York: William Morrow, 1989.
Web:
Authors:
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Joyce Payne, Arts Education Consultant
West Barnstable, MA
