In commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, this exhibition looks at the period of the formation of the American nation and sense of identity through the lens of objects, stories, and houses in NRF’s collection and tell the story of the founding of NRF on the eve of the American Bicentennial. 1776|2026 reflects on NRF’s role in shaping the way we understand Newport’s colonial past and invite contemplation of the next 50 years. Rather than a chronology of events, this exhibitions highlights objects from our Newport furniture and material culture collection, NRF archival records, 18th-century manuscripts, photographs, historical tools, needlepoint, and fashion to focus on the themes of American identity, American craft & artistry, and preservation & commemoration.
Included in admission to Rough Point Museum. Plan your visit
About the Newport Galleries of Art, Design, & Craft: Explore extraordinary examples of 18th-century Newport furniture and decorative arts, discover what makes Newport furniture so distinctive, and make connections between 18th-century decorative arts and current conversations surrounding globalism, cross-cultural exchange, and lived experiences. These gallery spaces feature special exhibitions that take a closer look art, design, and craft.
