NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) – A mansion billed as the place “where American society began” could soon be for sale.

An investor in the Astors’ Beechwood Mansion has filed suit asking for a court-appointed receiver to sell the property and divide the profits. The lawsuit filed by Review Realty Corp. says it hasn’t received any money in return for the $500,000 it invested 25 years ago in the partnership Historic Newport. Historic Newport provides mansion tours and rents the property for weddings and other events.

Beechwood Mansion was owned by William Backhouse Astor and his wife, Caroline. He was the grandson of John Jacob Astor, a German immigrant who became the richest man in America with investments in the fur trade and real estate. William’s son, John Jacob Astor IV, died aboard the Titanic. People who tour the mansion see actors portraying Caroline Astor and her guests. Caroline Astor led New York society for 25 years during the Gilded Age.

In its lawsuit, Review Realty accuses Robert B. Milligan Jr., the partnership’s majority owner, of mismanaging the mansion, running up debt and false accounting. It says Milligan took out a $2.9 million mortgage to make cash distributions to the partners, but most of that money went to Milligan and others with ties to him.

Milligan told The Providence Journal that the mansion is in good financial condition. He said he knew the tours and rentals would not generate a lot of income, but thought the property was a worthwhile investment because it would appreciate in value.

The mansion’s value has grown from $1 million in 1981 to at least $9 million, Milligan’s attorneys said.

Milligan also said he took out the mortgage to pay investors because he wanted to ward off a sale.

A Newport judge has scheduled a hearing for July 25.