Southampton Vs. Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, is a summer resort to which thousands of the wealthy throng each year to strive for social recognition.  Southampton, Long Island, is a quiet seaside village whither a few hundred of the old New York aristocracy go each summer to get away from Newport and all it signifies.  Newport is rich and blatantly proud of it.  Southampton is wealthy and gives the matter little or no concern.  Newport is a battleground for those who have social campaigns to wage.  Southampton is a resting place for men and women who have never found it necessary to fight or buy their way into society.

The above passage is from,

The Social Ladder, by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer

This book written in 1924 by Mrs. Van Rensselaer is one of the best books that chronicles the era of the, " Gilded Age".  Her reflections on the era from someone who like  Edith Wharton lived through it are insightful. The book covers not only Southampton and Newport, but  gives a complete analysis of High Society in the Gilded Age.  During the, "Gilded Age", Newport was always considered the, "Queen of Resorts" and all the other resorts of the era where often  compared to Newport. Southampton, which in this time was often called the, " Little Newport".

Click HERE for another amusing story about Southampton and Newport.
Click HERE for a great story about Newport Society.

Hydrangeas in the Hamptons & Newport

 Meadowmere on Coopers Neck Lane, Southampton, New York.

Marble House, Newport, Rhode Island

Hydrangeas in the summer are almost as popular as privet hedges. During the "Gilded Age" in the great American resorts, hydrangeas often lined the driveways and verandas of all the summer cottages. After awhile they were thought to be too showy and old fashioned, but have returned even stronger to the Hamptons. They are especially easy to care for and if you do nothing they will just flower year after year. They also make for a great conversation about when and how to prune and how to achieve certain colors.

Below are some links to Hydrangea articles.

Hamptons.com
Hydrangeashydrangeas.com
Images
Pruning