Scandalous Newport, Rhode Island

The opulent facades of the City by the Sea concealed the scintillating scandals, eccentric characters, and unsolved mysteries of its wealthiest families. Newport, Rhode Island, is renowned for its stunning cliff-side vistas and the luxurious summer homes of the Gilded Age elite. Historian Larry Stanford searches the dark corners of Newport's past to expose these scandalous tales and more.

Discover the mysterious voyage of the "Sea Bird" and its missing crew. Learn how Cornelius Vanderbilt III was cut out of the family's fortune for his unapproved marriage to Grace Wilson and how John F. Kennedy's marriage to a Newport debutante helped to secure his presidency. Travel to the White Horse Tavern, where a vengeful specter still waits for his supposed murderer to return to the scene.

The opulent facades of the City by the Sea conceal a rich tapestry of intrigue and scandal. Newport, Rhode Island, a picturesque coastal town, is celebrated for its breathtaking ocean vistas and the grand summer estates of the Gilded Age elite. Historian Larry Stanford delves into the dark corners of Newport's past, unearthing a trove of scandalous tales that belie the town's picturesque façade.

One such mystery surrounds the ill-fated voyage of the "Sea Bird," a vessel whose crew vanished without a trace. The disappearance of the ship and its crew has long puzzled historians and locals alike, leaving a tantalizing unsolved mystery in its wake.

Another intriguing chapter in Newport's history involves the Vanderbilt family, one of the wealthiest dynasties of the era. Cornelius Vanderbilt III, a scion of the powerful clan, found himself cut off from the family's vast fortune after his unapproved marriage to Grace Wilson, a scandalous move that scandalized high society.

The town's political elite also had their own skeletons in the closet. John F. Kennedy, the future President of the United States, forged a political alliance with the Newport elite when he married a local debutante, a union that helped to secure his path to the White House.

Even the historic White Horse Tavern, a beloved local landmark, harbors its own ghostly secrets. According to local lore, a vengeful specter still haunts the tavern, waiting for his supposed murderer to return to the scene of the crime.

Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Historian Larry Stanford unravels these captivating tales, shedding light on the hidden corners of Newport's storied past. His exploration of the City by the Sea's scandalous underbelly offers a tantalizing glimpse into the eccentric characters and unsolved mysteries that lurk beneath the town's opulent façade.

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