About the Newport Restoration Foundation

NRF is a nonprofit organization founded by Doris Duke in 1968 to protect and preserve the unique architectural and cultural heritage of Newport. Our multi-faceted approach to historic preservation centers on sustainability, adaptability, and resiliency as outcomes of our initiatives in preservation trades training, shaping urban environments, and collaborative community storytelling.

Our
Houses

Rough Point Museum

Rough Point Museum was the Newport home of heiress, collector, and philanthropist Doris Duke (1912-1993). Explore Doris Duke’s life and legacy, her collections of art, and the work of the Newport Restoration Foundation.

Vernon House

The William Vernon House (circa 1708 & 1760) is one of the most historically significant buildings in Newport, Rhode Island. The house is connected to many integral stories from Newport’s history and today is a venue for contemporary storytelling and conversations.

Preservation Properties

Following Doris Duke’s impulse to “preserve and restore,” NRF has restored over 100 buildings over the course of nearly six decades—shaping the cityscape of Newport and how we experience the city today.