The actual home, Seaview Terrace, began in Dupont Circle, in Washington D.C. in 1907 by Liquor millionaire, Edson Bradley. In the 1920s, he had it taken apart, stone by stone and moved to Newport Rhode Island. Can you imagine? The move began in 1923 and took 5 years to complete. 54 rooms on three floors, moved.
Mrs Bradley, a music lover is supposed to still haunt the home and continues to play her piano in the music room. If she loved that house enough to move it, I guess she loves it enough not to leave it either.
It became a school from 1951 -61 after being bought from the City of Newport (when the family lost it over back taxes) for $8000. 40,000 square feet. $8,000.... I think that even in 1950 dollars that has still got to be the steal of the decade. As with the great plantations of the south, it's not the price of the building, it's the upkeep that is so expensive.
In the later 60s it was called Burnham by the Sea, and was a school for girls. Can you imagine? That was during the time Dark Shadows was huge. It would be like going to school at Hogwarts today.
They do have a website. http://www.seaviewterrace.org/index.html
It doesn't say anything about it being open so it may be a private home again. I did see other sites where people have gone there, so Maybe now it's closed to the public. It is just fun seeing a little piece of our past really exists.
I'm wondering if they will use it for the new movie too. They almost have to for us oldsters that know what the house looked like.
Johnny Depp.....Barnabus Collins
Helea Bonham Carter.... Dr. Julia Hoffman
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard...Michelle Pfeiffer
You can still see some of the out takes of scenes and bloopers on Youtube. Of course it looks pretty cheesy now, but back then, I was hooked.
With the Twilight series so big, I think this one will draw some interest just based on the vampire thing. For me though, I'm remembering that teen that rushed home to see what was going to happen next in Collinsport.
9 comments:
Found you by way of Sweet Tea! We seem to follow some of the same blogs.
I don't remember Dark Shadows, will have to check into that!!
Great info about the "house". I loved Dark Shadows. I'd race in the door everyday from school just in time to watch. This a wonderful memory. I'm glad you wrote about it.
Drats! But Chief, I missed it by *that* much!
I never saw Dark Shadows. I'm glad your back is feeling much better!
That picture of you with your uncle is nice. I bet he was proud of his way-too-cute nieces!
I'm so glad your back is better! I never got into Dark Shadows during its heyday, only watched a few episodes, but everyone else was! Ha! I will watch the Depp movie, because I like Johnny D.
I remember Dark Shadow, but I've never watched. Can you believe it?
Once again, I love your header. Your photos take me back to my teen years!
Far Guy and I would watch it together after classes at the college in 1970 and 1971 as I recall. I have been looking for the collectors edition for a Christmas gift. It was a great old show! :)
I hadn't heard that there was going to be a remake of Dark Shadows until you mentioned it. I always thought Barnabas Collins was so creepy looking...Those were the days!
I had a light green outfit like your relative in the picture is wearing..Oh, for the late 60's one could get clothing that was well made for nothing, now everything that lasts costs to my just my opinion a lot of money and they don't last too well..I luv your blog takes me back to a time that to me was less stressful and nicer and kinder, I lived with my grandma in san diego, california took the bus all over for I think 20 cents student rate, went to college for free only books and some other fees, loved the weather, made little money at many jobs, but got dinners at the restaurant for me and my grandma and movies were cheap and food too..rent was little, she passed from this world right before I turned 21 and Mother's day and my college graduation, bitter pill at that..moved from san diego to a tiny beach town half way up the coast to San Francisco, california, my rent right on the beach $60.00 a month including utilities to boot in Ventura, now that town has homes I remember living right by almost 700,000 and up, oh, my goodness...Keep up your blog it so reminds me of many times and things I did..Now youth can't really enjoy themselves with college educations costing a bundle and after they graduate they cannot get any jobs! just saying
I remember that show. I used to watch it all the time. However... my memory is so bad, I don't remember the plots. I'll look forward to the remake.
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