The Chinese Tea House in Newport, RI sits on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was originally built in 1913 on the grounds of The Marble House. a French neoclassical summer mansion designed by Richard Morris Hunt for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt.The Chinese Tea House itself was commissioned by Mrs. O.H.P. Belmont (previously Mrs. Vanderbilt). Architects were Hunt and Hunt, the sons of Richard Morris Hunt The building was built in 1913. and development of the grounds continued to 1916. The Marble House and the Chinese Tea House were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and to Newport's Bellevue Avenue National Landmark District in 1976.

In 1979, the Preservation Society began restoring the Tea House. The goal was a complete authentic restoration, and return of the Tea House to a useable property. A Historic Preservation Grant enabled work to begin to reestablish structural integrity, to restore and replace deteriorated and missing decorative elements, to provide new plumbing and electrical services, and to rebuild the sea-wall.

One of the joys of the restoration, however. was the craftsmanship of the restoration contractors. The copper dragons and sculpture were hand restored by a one-of-a-kind coppersmith. The roof tiles were replaced by a perfectionist who had to rediscover the improper original firing temperatures to accurately replicate the glaze colors. The artist who restored the mural wall panels obliterated the years of damage by vandals and left soft oriental paintings that reflected the feathers used for painting. The painter captured the bold Chinese red s on the columns and gate, and fastidiously painted each piece of the elaborate ornamentation.

New systems were limited to the installation of plumbing facilities in the basement, replacement of electrical and security alarm systems. and installation of concealed lighting to highlight the dramatic roof at night.

The exterior before restoration in 1978

The interior before restoration in 1978