Autumn in Newport, R.I., is a colorful time of year, and this fabulous seaside town has a variety of events planned to draw you to its iconic mansions. The Preservation Society of Newport County invites visitors to attend its Fall Lecture Series on Great Ideas of the Gilded Age, held at Rosecliff Mansion. On Oct. 12, the topic is “Luxurious Consumption: The Ritual & Artistry of Afternoon Tea” with Ellen Easton, a specialist in tea and etiquette who will discuss the origins of this custom. On Oct. 26, Melanie Dawson, Ph.D., College of William & Mary, will present “Picturing Edith Wharton’s Work.” Dawson will explore how the illustrated versions of Wharton’s work in women’s magazines affected their popularization.

Additionally, a new lecture series called “The Evolution of The Breakers Landscape” will be offered at Rosecliff. The series begins Oct. 11, with “Ernest Bowditch: Out of Olmsted’s Shadow.” Preservation Society curator of historic landscapes Jim Donahue will discuss the work of Bowditch, a 19^th-century landscape architect. Landscape history is once again the topic Oct. 25, when landscape architects John Grove and Leslie Carter of The Breakers Cultural Landscape Report discuss the history and upcoming changes at The Breakers. The series wraps up Nov. 2, with Bruce Fraedrich and Christopher Fletcher of Bartlett Tree Experts sharing insight on the stunning mature and exotic tree species found on the grounds of the Preservation Society’s collection of historic mansions in a session called “Managing Newport’s Veteran Trees.” For those who prefer a more active outing, the Fall Workshop Series at Green Animal Topiary Gardens presents morning sessions on Pumpkin Decoupage Oct. 21, and Holiday Table Garland with floral designer Liza Chung Nov. 18.