Coaching Weekend Set For Aug. 16-19: Newport Mansions

NEWPORT, RI — Coaching Weekend returns to Newport on August 16 to 19, 2018 at the Newport mansions. According to the press release, people will be able to see the coaches and the horses travel on city streets each of the three days. But the Preservation Society will present a free driving exhibition at The Elms on Saturday, Aug. 18. That starts at 10:30 a.m.

"The tradition of coaching grew out of the 18th and 19th century mail runs in England, which later made their way across the Atlantic to the United States," the Preservation Society noted. British writer Thomas DeQuincey immortalized the sometimes terrifying experience of riding on them in his essay, The English Mail-coach Or The Glory Of Motion. But when the railroads came in, the mail coaches went out. Coaching, however, survived as a sport.

"We are very grateful to the members of the Coaching Club, who honor Newport and the Preservation Society with their visit every three years," said Preservation Society CEO & Executive Director Trudy Coxe. "This event give us an opportunity feel the spirit of life in the Gilded Age, when coaching was not only a mode of transportation but a social and sporting activity."

The “whips” (as the drivers are referred to in the sport of coaching) who are expected to attend are: Dr. Timothy J. Butterfield, of Derry, New Hampshire; Mr. Frederick E. Eayrs, Jr., of Middleboro, Massachusetts; Mr. Walter F. Eayrs, of Mapleville, Rhode Island; Mr. William G. Ginns, of Skeffington, Leicester, United Kingdom; Mr. John Frazier Hunt, of Spring City, Pennsylvania; Mr. Herbert Kohler, of Kohler, Wisconsin; Mr. Charles T. Matheson of Middleburg, Virginia; Mr. James Mather Miller and Mrs. Misdee Miller, of Sarasota, Florida; Mr. William R. Staples of the Plains, Virginia; Mr. Harvey W. Waller, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts; Mr. John White, of Newton, New Jersey; Mrs. Gloria Austin, of Weirsdale, Florida; and Dr. Rae Fischer of Ontario, Canada.

The routes of the daily drives and other details are available at the Preservation Society's website (www.NewportMansions.org).

Courtesy Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County