RECENT POSTS FROM Charles J. Burns

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Memories abound at Clouds Hill as it celebrates its 150th anniversary

House• September 19, 2022.

Charles Burns takes us back in time to the second half of the 19th century when landmark homes, along the shoreline of Narragansett Bay, served as sum... READ MORE

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1015 Park — A History of One of Park Avenue’s Most Distinct Private Residences

House• November 9, 2021.

A personal history of the red brick house on the corner of Park and 85th, completed for its family in 1915, who lived there for the next 50 years... READ MORE

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The Life and Times of Josephine Hartford, Part II

Social History• January 12, 2021.

The second and final installment on the life of Josephine Hartford, one of the richest American heiresses of the 20th century, by Charles Burns... READ MORE

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The life and times of Josephine Hartford, Part I

Social History• January 8, 2021.

The Life and Times of 20th century American Josephine Hartford, heiress to the enormous A&P supermarkets fortune, by Charlie Burns... READ MORE

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THE AGE OF THE DEBUTANTE; Newport in the 1930s, Part II

Social History• October 6, 2020.

Part II of Charles Burns' history of the Newport debutantes growing up and marrying princes, counts and assorted society heirs and playboys... READ MORE

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THE AGE OF THE DEBUTANTE; Newport in the 1930s, Part I

Social History• September 29, 2020.

Newport historian Charles Burns on the Age of the Debutante in the exuberant years after the Gilded Age when Newport celebrated its youths’ coming o... READ MORE

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Guardian Spirit: Newport Legacy of Doris Duke

Social History• January 22, 2020.

A curator and art historian’s visit to the fabled heiress’ Newport, Rhode Island mansion, every inch defining its possessor’s taste and sensibil... READ MORE

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S. Russell Groves

House• May 3, 2013.

S. Russell Groves trained as an architect and has worked for very big names including Richard Meier and Peter Marino. He says it was Peter Marino who... READ MORE