Chateau-sur-Mer was built as William Shepard Wetmore, successful China trade merchant. Upon his death in 1862, his fortune including the house passed to his son George Peabody Wetmore. George eventually married and lived at the Chateau with his wife and daughters during his long and distinguished career in Rhode Island politics, serving as Governor and later as Senator. You learn more at newportmansions.org. There are several spectacular mansions in Newport that are open to the public. If you ever get a chance to go, it's worth seeing.