As Newport gears up for its most elegant summer tradition, the Preservation Society of Newport County’s Annual Coaching Weekend Dinner Dance on Saturday, August 16, Cornelia Guest reflects on her own storied ties to the Gilded Age capital. A child of high society with a lineage that once defined American glamour, Guest shares her earliest memories of family weekends by the sea in Newport with PALMER.
What are some of your favorite recollections of visiting Newport as a child?
My favorite recollection of Newport as a child was visiting my godmother, Anita Young. She had a beautiful house on Ruggles Avenue and across the street, she had an incredible organic garden. We used to go up and stay with her, her house was so beautiful. My mother used to come up, too, and just loved her garden.
What were your favorite things to do in Newport?
We all used to go to Bailey’s Beach, and I remember they used to have the most delicious drinks called “Pink Panthers”. They were like an icy Shirley Temple. It was all so beautiful…the beach and all the houses. And I used to love walking along the Cliff Walk.
Have you always gone to Newport? When is the last time you were there?
I’ve gone to Newport for many, many years. When I got older, I used to go to the international jumping derby with my friend Mason Phelps, who ran the horse show. We used to do the Denim and Diamonds Ball that was for the horse show. Everybody used to come, from all of Newport, it was so much fun. They always used to have great country bands. We would always stay on a boat, which was fun. The jumping derby was an incredible class. It was a big derby for open jumpers. Everyone from Newport loved to go there.
I also loved going to the beach in Newport. And I used to go up to my cousin Minnie Cushing’s house to sit and watch Spouting Rock. It was so beautiful to play up there.
Any great memories or photos from your days in Newport?
I have wonderful memories of my mother and me at Minnie’s wedding to Peter Beard. I was in the wedding.
A photo from Minnie Cushing’s wedding to Peter Beard, Newport, Rhode Island, August 12, 1967. The bride’s dress is the first well-documented moment in which Oscar de la Renta designed a wedding gown. The wedding took place at Historic Trinity (Episcopal) Church and the reception was held afterwards at the Cushing family home, The Ledges. (Photo: Tony Frissell).
What are your upcoming plans in Newport?
I haven’t been to Newport in so many years, I can’t remember the last time I was there. I’m going to visit my friend Todd Romano and to go to the Preservation Ball. I can’t wait. I plan to wear a Victoria Beckham one-shoulder summer frock. It’ll be fun. It’s also Coaching Weekend, and it’s always a beautiful place to go. I will also hopefully go to Newport Creamery—I don’t even know if it’s open—to get a good ice cream.
