Newport Casino

Newport Casino
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
U.S. National Historic Landmark District Contributing Property
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Casino facade in 2008
Location	Newport, Rhode Island
Coordinates	41°28′56″N 71°18′27″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1879
Architect	McKim, Mead & White
Architectural style	Shingle Style
Part of	Bellevue Avenue Historic District Bellevue Avenue/Casino Historic District (ID72000023 72000024)
NRHP reference No.	70000083
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 2, 1970
Designated NHL	February 27, 1987
Designated NHLDCP	December 8, 1972
Designated CP	December 8, 1972

The Newport Casino is an athletic complex and recreation center located at 186-202 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, United States. Built in 1880, it was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987, in recognition for its architectural significance as one of the nation's finest Shingle style buildings, and for its importance in the history of tennis in the United States. The complex now houses the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and was the site of the earliest US Opens.

1879 - 1900

The complex was commissioned in 1880 by James Gordon Bennett, Jr. Legend states that Bennett placed a bet with his guest British Cavalry Officer, Captain Henry Augustus "Sugar" Candy that Candy would not ride his horse up onto the front porch of Newport's most exclusive men's club - The Newport Reading Room. Candy won the bet, but the Governors of the Reading Room were not amused. Bennett and his infamous short temper did not take this kindly, and soon set about creating his own retreat, what would eventually become The Newport Casino.

Soon after deciding to create his own social club, Bennett purchased the Sidney Brooks estate, "Stone Villa". Directly across the street was a vacant lot, suitable for construction of the Casino. Bennett hired Charles McKim (soon to be of the firm McKim, Mead, and White) to design the Casino. By January 1880, Nathan Barker of Newport was contracted to begin construction.

The interior of the Casino, while generally outlined by McKim, was entrusted to Stanford White. Taking many elements and cues from the Japanese Pavilion at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, White provided for a plan that was both secluded and open.

The Newport Casino opened to its first patrons in July 1880, and the general public got their first view in August 1880.

1900 - 1954

The first half of the 20th century was unkind to the Newport Casino. The Gilded age drew to a close with the onset of the Depression, and the Newport fell by the wayside as a summer resort for the wealthy and powerful. The Casino struggled financially as a social club right from the start, and by the 1950s the Casino was in sad shape. Like many of the mansions, there was the very real possibility that it would be demolished to make way for more modern retail space.

The United States Lawn Tennis Association held their first championships at the Casino in 1881, an event that would continue through 1914. By this time, tennis was firmly entrenched as the key attraction at the Casino.

Candy and James Henry Van Alen took over operating the club, and by 1954 had established the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the Newport Casino. The combination of prominent headliners at the tennis matches and the museum allowed the building to be saved.

It stands today as one of the finest examples of Victorian Shingle Style architecture in the world. The buildings are generally well preserved, and the Casino Theatre which was in a state of disrepair was recently restored and is currently leased to Salve Regina University. The theater occasionally still shows films, mostly during the Newport International Film Festival or charity events.

The landscaping in the center, new bushes were recently put in the entrance way with the old overgrown bushes removed.

Buildings

The complex includes:

• The Casino (shops, a restaurant, offices, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame)
• Horseshoe Piazza and Court
• Bill Talbert Stadium
• Court Tennis Building (The National Court Tennis Club)
• Theatre - restored and managed by Salve Regina University Department of Performing Arts
• Indoor tennis courts (Newport Casino Indoor Racquet Club)
• Various grass tennis courts (Newport Casino Lawn Tennis Club)

• 
  Newport Casino original façade, 1880
• 
  Postcard, North Wing of Newport Casino, taken from Horseshoe Courtyard, circa 1900
• 
  Newport Casino, Bellevue Ave. façade, 1970
• 
  Newport Casino, Horseshoe Court, 1970
• 
  Newport Casino in 2009

Sports

The Newport Casino was never a public gambling establishment. Originally, "casino" meant a small villa built for pleasure. During the 19th century, the term casino came to include other buildings where social activities took place.

In its heyday during the Gilded Age, the Newport Casino offered a wide array of social diversions to the summer colony including archery, billiards, bowling, concerts, dancing, dining, horse shows, lawn bowling, reading, lawn tennis, tea parties, and theatricals. It was best known as the home of American lawn tennis; the Casino hosted the 1881–1914 National Championships, later called the U.S. Open. Between 1915 and 1967 it hosted the Newport Casino Invitational men's tennis tournament.

Today, there is still an active grass-court tennis club, as well as an indoor tennis club. The Newport Casino Croquet Club offers championship croquet play on Newport's grass courts.

The Court Tennis Building is part of the original complex, built in 1880. It burned down in 1945, but was rebuilt in 1980. It is home to the National Tennis Club.

See also

• List of tennis stadiums by capacity
• List of National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport County, Rhode Island

External links

• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. RI-331, "Newport Casino, 186-202 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Newport County, RI", 21 photos, 21 data pages, 1 photo caption page
• Description of the Casino Theatre
• Official site of the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Preceded by first venue

Home of the U.S. Championships 1881-1914

Succeeded by West Side Tennis Club 1915-1920