NRF promotes and invests in the architectural heritage of the Newport community, the traditional building trades, and Doris Duke’s fine and decorative arts collections, for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all.
As a leader in the preservation of early American architecture, NRF supports research and education in areas directly related to its collections and issues of critical concern to the field of historic preservation.
Visit Doris Duke’s art-filled mansion and enjoy panoramic ocean views from the extensive grounds. Open late March to November.
The Vernon House is a site for expansive story-telling, contemporary dialogue, and preservation trades skill-building. Opening July 1, 2023: NRF and Art&Newport are excited to present a group artists exhibition on cards and card playing: Games, Gamblers & Cartomancers: The New Cardsharps
Newport Restoration Foundation holds one of the largest collections of period architecture owned by a single organization anywhere in the United States.
Celebrate excellence in historic preservation efforts within the City of Newport, Rhode Island.
Live amidst history by renting one of our many historic properties.
Doris Duke’s love of travel began at an early age with a trip to Europe with her parents when she was still an infant. Duke traveled for leisure, business, and humanitarian work overseas during World War II. She cultivated her curiosity and passion for learning through visiting various countries, while adding to her superior collection of fine and decorative arts for her multiple homes. Passport to the World: Doris Duke the International Traveler, focused not only on the places where Duke traveled throughout her lifetime, but also on the many acquisitions and additions to her collection she amassed while on her many international adventures.
Wardrobe Trunk
Decorative Screen
Cape
While Doris Duke visited Southeast Asia during her honeymoon with James Cromwell, her March 1957 trip to Thailand had a significant impact on her. While staying in Bangkok, she became captivated by the art, architecture, and textiles of Thai culture. This interest led Miss Duke to collect decorative arts, religious objects, architectural elements, and clothing from Thailand, Burma, and other Southeast Asian nations. This Thai screen shows the Buddhist earth goddess, Phra Mae Thorani, also known as Suvathara. Images of her with the Buddha are very common in shrines and Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. This particular screen most likely was from a small home shrine in Thailand.
Antonio Manfredi, known as the "tailor of toreadors," produced the finest suits for bullfighters in Spain. While it is not known if this is a custom-made cape, Doris Duke visited Seville, where Manfredi's shop was located, in 1953 and 1954.
