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.
Tour Doris Duke’s art-filled mansion and enjoy panoramic ocean views from the extensive grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Open late March to November.
Experience the only museum in the world specializing in 18th-century Newport furniture and related decorative arts. Open late May to October.
Explore 40 acres of open space, a tribute to the agrarian heritage of Aquidneck Island. The site is open daily from dawn to dusk for public enjoyment.
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.
Help us to continue a lived-in legacy by becoming a Restoration Partner today.
Doris Duke was an animal lover and kept numerous pets at Rough Point, including two camels. Her vast art collection featured a wonderful array of pieces depicting animals as friends, adversaries and allegories.
The Raven and the Chickens
Parrot Figurines
Penguin Statues
Weekes enjoyed painting animals, often personifying them in almost human-like situations. In this particular painting, he has posed the raven as though on a podium, lecturing to a crowd of chickens.
Exotic animals fascinated people in Europe and around the world. As porcelain figurines became popular in Europe, they commonly depicted exotic animals. People could have a piece of an exotic land, such as this colorful parrot, in their own homes.
Doris Duke kept these bronze penguins at her house Duke Farms in New Jersey. They acted as doorstops in the "Hollywood" wing, a section of the house constructed in the 1930s and decorated in the Art Deco style.