Heiress, Socialite, Preservationist, Philanthropist, Born Maud Gwendolen King but known as Gwendolen by her family, was a prominent Newport socialite, member of Newport's Old Guard and proud mistress of 'Kingscote' in Newport RI. Daughter of David King and Ella Rives. Wife of Edward M. Armstrong, a landscape architect in New York. She was prominent hostess during her time and she was regularly entertaining. Quiet, loving and kind, she spent most of her early married life raising the couple's three children. She made frequent trips to Paris and London, where she often bought out entire collections of the famed couture houses of Worth and Raudnitz and Co., which she had shipped to her grand house in Newport RI, 'Kingscote'-built by her grandfather, it was the first cottage in Newport. At 'Kingscote' she reigned, and in 1900 brought in Stanford White to redo the dining room. She had cultivated friendships with Edith Wetmore, of nearby Chateau Sur Mer, and Jeannette Bell, of nearby Isaac Bell House. At her townhouse in New York City, she entertained on a large scale, hosting tea parties every morning. Upon her father and mother's death she inherited a fortune based on the China Trade along with several beautiful furnishings and paintings. She was famous for the large China Ball she gave every season at 'Kingscote'. The entrance ball doubled as a ballroom and the two parlors were opened up to create one large dining room. Guests came attired in Chinese kimonos, sun hats and sandals. But she was most known for the large wardrobe she had accumulated, which was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. She was largely considered one of the best dressed ladies in all of Newport, even getting dressed up to go to Bailey's Beach. To dinner parties she wore elaborate silk costumes by Worth and adorned herself with ropes of pearls or diamonds. Her collection grew so much that she had added a second story balcony to her closet, which was accessed by small circular stairs in the corner. Her wardrobe was put on exhibit by her daughter, Gwendolen, after her death to raise money for the Preservation Society of Newport. On Gwendolen's death in 1972, 'Kingscote' and all of it's furnishings were given to the Preservation Society and it was opened as a museum. In addition to 'Kingscote', Gwendolen also donated her mother's entire wardrobe collection, which now serves as an exhibit at 'Kingscote', visited by thousands of people every years.

Bio by: Bobby Kelley