Historical Background
 From the first, they called Beacon Rock the Acropolis of Newport. Commodore Edwin D. Morgan in 1887, commissioned architect, Stanford White, of the renowned architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White in New York, to design this residence on the plan of the ancient Athenian Stoa of Attalos and the Agora adjoining it. The resulting ionic marble colonades and the balanced, matching temple-like facades took over 3 years to complete. The mansion was ready for occupancy in 1891.
Its owner for 3 decades, Edwin Morgan, cousin of J.P. Morgan, served as commodore at the Newport Yacht Club and personally owned several of the America's Cup defenders, which he kept at Beacon Rock.
By 1921, Captain and Marion Eppley took possession of the Estate. The Eppley's spent 20 odd seasons there at the Harbor side.
A new era began in 1951 when Mr. Felix DeWeldon, the world renowned sculptor, took possession.
In 1945, while serving in the United States Navy, as a Seabee, Mr. Felix DeWeldon undertook one of his greatest and most famous works, which catapulted him to fame- the flag raising on Iwo Jima.
Today, it is officially known as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial, displayed in Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial is just one of DeWeldon 33 works throughout the Washington D.C. area, which is more than any sculptor in history. The 78-foot high masterpiece, with every detail hand completed, is the largest sculptor cast in bronze in the world and is visited by hundreds of thousands of peopl e each year. This memorial is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world.
Mr. Felix DeWeldon created more than 2,000 public monuments, displayed on all 7 continents, more monuments than any sculptor in the history of the world. During the past fifty years as a world renowned artist he has produced an impressive body of work ranging from great monuments to busts of distinguished people to beautiful religious works. Many important people have sat for de Weldon in an official capacity. DeWeldon has been referred to as the artist to presidents and kings. He is a monumental artist on the grand scale,  whose name and works are world renowned. He is ranked in the company of masters such as Michelangelo and Rodin.
A bronze replica of the Iwo Jima monument, along with other sculptures, signed by Mr. Felix DeWeldon, are on display at Beacon Rock.
The home is on the National Register of Historic Homes in the United States.
Currently, Beacon Rock is owned by Attorney Brian R. Cunha, who acquired “Beacon Rock” in 1996 and has fully renovated and restored the property.
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