Step back to the 19th century history and watch as horse-drawn coaches parade through the streets of Newport and the grounds of Newport Mansions.

This unique event takes place every three years in Newport and this summer it runs Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 17.

A Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County, is a must-see event for the entire family.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FRIDAY EVENTS

Morning Drive

Get ready to smile and wave as horse-drawn coaches leave Chateau-sur-Mer at 9:30 AM and drive down Bellevue Avenue, past The Elms, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote. Turn onto Memorial Boulevard, past First Beach and make their final stop at Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth around 12:15 PM, for a private lunch.

Evening Drive

Friday evening, the horse-drawn coaches will leave Chateau Sur Mer at 5:00 PM and head towards Newport Country Club, for a private rest stop for the horses, continue along Ocean Avenue towards Bellevue Avenue passing Marble House and ending at Rosecliff arriving at 7:15 PM, for a private dinner.

SATURDAY EVENTS

Morning Drive

The coaches will leave Chateau-sur-Mer at 10:00 AM and drive on Ruggles Avenue to Orche Point Avenue, past The Breakers to Narragansett Avenue, to Bellevue Avenue and arrive at The Elms at 10:30 AM.

Free Driving Exhibition

The public is welcome to this free driving exhibition on the grounds of The Elms, beginning at 10:30 AM and ending at 11:30 AM. This is the only opportunity for the public to get close to each of the teams and learn about the horses and the history of each coach.

Note: Dogs are not permitted on the grounds, except for certified service animals. Grounds at the Elms open at 9:00 AM. Parking onsite will fill quickly, guests attending exhibition asked to find alternate offsite parking options.

Afternoon Drive

After the free driving exhibition, the coaches will leave The Elms at 11:30 AM, and travel along Bellevue Avenue towards Ocean Avenue, and end their route at a private event at 12:45 PM.

Coaching Dinner Dance

Enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing in Newport’s grandest Gilded Age Mansion. Contact the Special Events Office to inquire about reservations for the Coaching Dinner Dance.

SUNDAY EVENTS

The weekend event concludes with coaches departing Chateau-sur-Mer at 10:15 AM. They will make a private stop from 10:45 AM, depart and arrive at Marble House at 12:15 PM, for a private lunch.

THE HISTORY AND TRADITION OF COACHING

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 horse-drawn mail coaches were eventually replaced by railroads, but nostalgia led to the development of coaching as a sport.

The two types of open-air vehicles used in the sport of coaching—a Road Coach and the slightly smaller Park Drag—employ a team of four horses. All seating is outside, with the driver, known as a “whip,” sitting in the slightly elevated right front seat. The whip’s wife or female relative sat in the “box seat” on the left. The rear bench of the coach holds at least two specialized footmen called grooms. Two center benches can hold up to 10 passengers.