Doris Duke was a woman who cared deeply about bettering the world through environmental stewardship, medical research, the restoration of historic sites, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Join us on a tour of Rough Point that explores Doris Duke’s philanthropic interests and the lasting impact of this philanthropy on Newport and beyond.
This special holiday-themed tour features the decked halls of Rough Point. Explore Rough Point at its merriest, while learning about the people who helped care for Rough Point year-round and how we care for the objects and the building today.
New date! Step inside Doris Duke’s closets on this guided tour that explores the legacy of Doris Duke’s through the collection of 2,000+ items she left in her closets and our caretaking of this unique collection to preserve it for the future.
This tour will also include collection storage and the new fashion gallery.
Join us for a guided tour of Rough Point’s coastal historic landscape. Explore the nearly 11 acres of grounds and gardens while you learn about Frederick Law Olmsted’s impact, Doris Duke’s legacy gardens, and how we are planning for the future resiliency and sustainability of the landscape in the wake of climate change.
Step inside Doris Duke’s closets on this guided tour that explores the legacy of Doris Duke’s through the collection of 2,000+ items she left in her closets and our caretaking of this unique collection to preserve it for the future.
This tour will also include collection storage and the new fashion exhibition, Fashioning Resiliency.
Sea-level rise, increasingly damaging storms, and flooding are threatening our communities. What can we do to plan for a more resilient future? This walking tour will identify some of the drivers behind flood vulnerability, approaches to protect historic properties from rising tides, and highlight opportunities and challenges facing Newport to unify resiliency and preservation initiatives citywide. While the tour will highlight case studies from NRF’s portfolio of historic properties, the strategies discussed will be applicable for many homeowners and will broach interventions small to large.
This tour will give you a look inside the ongoing restoration project at Rough Point—including spaces like the East Wing that are currently not open to the public. Learn about NRF’s preservation plan for Doris Duke’s 130+ year-old Newport home and how this work is part of our greater stewardship of the more than 80 historic sites in our care.
Sea-level rise, increasingly damaging storms, and flooding are threatening our communities. What can we do to plan for a more resilient future? This walking tour will identify some of the drivers behind flood vulnerability, approaches to protect historic properties from rising tides, and highlight opportunities and challenges facing Newport to unify resiliency and preservation initiatives citywide. While the tour will highlight case studies from NRF’s portfolio of historic properties, the strategies discussed will be applicable for many homeowners and will broach interventions small to large.
Doris Duke’s legacy gardens reflect her interest in sustainable horticulture and environmental conservation. Join us on this interactive guided tour of the Formal Garden and the Kitchen Garden, a unique working educational garden that provides produce for our community partners. Learn about the history of the gardens, how NRF cares for the gardens today, and get insights into your own gardening practices.
*SOLD OUT* This tour will give you a look inside rooms and spaces not currently open to the public at Vernon House, including the third floor and the cellar. Learn about NRF’s preservation plan for this 300+ year-old home and discover more about the complex layers of the house—from the architectural to the stories of the people who helped form our nation.
Many of the houses in Historic Hill were witnesses to the American Revolution.
Take a walk through this neighborhood and discover the stories of the people who lived here, learn about the house's historic restorations on the eve of the Bicentennial, and find out how NRF continues to care for these important sites today.
SOLD OUT: Step inside Doris Duke’s closets on this guided tour that explores the legacy of Doris Duke’s through the collection of 2,000+ items she left in her closets and our caretaking of this unique collection to preserve it for the future.
This tour will also include collection storage and the new fashion exhibition, Fashioning Resiliency.
The success of Newport has always been dependent on the sea and the people who live here have a deep connection to the water. The Point neighborhood evolved from the colonial era to what it is today in response to major economic, political, cultural, and environmental shifts. This tour will reflect on how this neighborhood has adapted—and continues to adapt to— the increasing effects of climate change. We will also commemorate the stories of the many generations of Newporters who lived here.
Go behind-the-scenes of 1776 | 2026: The Newport Restoration Foundation Reflects on the American Revolution. Inspired by Doris Duke’s remarkable legacy, the Newport Restoration Foundation today preserves objects, sites, and stories with connections to the American Revolution. This tour will share more about the stories behind the art, craft, and design on display—including works of furniture, architectural drawings, and fashion.
