A rugged Rhode Island shoreline. Manicured lawns. Seafair-engraved stone gateposts. Jay Leno’s voice came over the intercom.

The fish-and-seashell-decorated wrought-iron gates opened to expose a massive stone mansion on the ocean. Newport’s famed 1930s home Seafair. The circular cobblestone motor court has a new black Genesis parked close to a fountain with two sea horses.

Newport’s Audrain Automobile Museum hosted 72-year-old Mr. Leno in early October. He is healing in Los Angeles from major burns he got in a gasoline fire while working on one of his automobiles in mid-November. He had planned to spend Thanksgiving at Seafair.

He inaugurated the $15 million house’s massive front entrance in October. On “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” he wore loose pants and a checkered shirt instead of suits.