Heiress, Socialite, Philanthropist, Preservationist, Youngest daughter of George Peabody Wetmore and Edith Malvina Keteltas. She is one of the few surviving members of the original '400' included on Ward McAllister's list. One of Newport's famed spinster's, she was the last of a very proud and distinguished family. Her father, George P. Wetmore, was one of the most beloved and respected senators in the history of Rhode Island. Miss Wetmore lived alone at her grand Newport estate 'Chateau Sur Mer'; a house built by her grandfather in 1854; though was attended to by a loyal staff of over 16, which included Henry, her butler for over thirty years, a housekeeper, footman, houseboy, nurse, secretary, cook and several maids, most of whom had been with her for more than twenty years. A patron of the arts at heart, she annually made the trip to New York to attended the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera House, which was the start of the New York City social season, and even attended it's closing gala in 1964. An avid reader, she was particularly fond of children's books, which she collected from around the world, eventually donating her collection to the Providence Public Library as the "Edith Wetmore Collection of Children's Books". One of the last in Newport to uphold the sacred tradition of being 'at home' to friends and acquaintances, she firmly made sure that no cocktail was ever served at her house. A passionate gardener, she often won the smart garden luncheon parties. She was well into her 80s when she made her first trip to the grocery store, a chauffeur-driven excursion from her palatial home to the new A&P about a mile away. Accompanied by a friend who guided her through the aisles, helped her load the basket and led her to the checkout counter, she finally came to the cash register without a penny in her purse. Edith, whose income was $6,000 a day, never thought about carrying money. The friend had to pay. She is also known for summing up the feelings of old guard Newporters towards the Jazz Festival. When visiting friends one day, she was introduced to young Peter Lorillard. She asked him if he was related to Louis Lorillard, the founder of the Jazz Festival. When the boy proudly replied that Lorillard was his father, she shook her finger at him and said "Well, you go home and tell your father that Miss Wetmore says he's a wicked wicked man". Young Peter fled the room in tears.
Heiress, Socialite, Philanthropist, Preservationist, Youngest daughter of George Peabody Wetmore and Edith Malvina Keteltas. She is one of the few surviving members of the original '400' included on Ward McAllister's list. One of Newport's famed spinster's, she was the last of a very proud and distinguished family. Her father, George P. Wetmore, was one of the most beloved and respected senators in the history of Rhode Island. Miss Wetmore lived alone at her grand Newport estate 'Chateau Sur Mer'; a house built by her grandfather in 1854; though was attended to by a loyal staff of over 16, which included Henry, her butler for over thirty years, a housekeeper, footman, houseboy, nurse, secretary, cook and several maids, most of whom had been with her for more than twenty years. A patron of the arts at heart, she annually made the trip to New York to attended the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera House, which was the start of the New York City social season, and even attended it's closing gala in 1964. An avid reader, she was particularly fond of children's books, which she collected from around the world, eventually donating her collection to the Providence Public Library as the "Edith Wetmore Collection of Children's Books". One of the last in Newport to uphold the sacred tradition of being 'at home' to friends and acquaintances, she firmly made sure that no cocktail was ever served at her house. A passionate gardener, she often won the smart garden luncheon parties. She was well into her 80s when she made her first trip to the grocery store, a chauffeur-driven excursion from her palatial home to the new A&P about a mile away. Accompanied by a friend who guided her through the aisles, helped her load the basket and led her to the checkout counter, she finally came to the cash register without a penny in her purse. Edith, whose income was $6,000 a day, never thought about carrying money. The friend had to pay. She is also known for summing up the feelings of old guard Newporters towards the Jazz Festival. When visiting friends one day, she was introduced to young Peter Lorillard. She asked him if he was related to Louis Lorillard, the founder of the Jazz Festival. When the boy proudly replied that Lorillard was his father, she shook her finger at him and said "Well, you go home and tell your father that Miss Wetmore says he's a wicked wicked man". Young Peter fled the room in tears.
