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.
Want to learn more about Historic Home Maintenance? Check out NRF’s recommendations for expert resources in common mistakes, National Preservation Organizations, vinyl, windows, books and more!
Restoration – Common Mistakes
Two documents on common restoration mistakes can be found at: http://www.cttrust.org/index.cgi/98
National Park Service Preservation Briefs
The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief09.htm
Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief35.htm
Roofing for Historic Buildings: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief04.htm
The Repair, Replacement & Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief29.htm
Other Preservation Briefs found at: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm
Vinyl Siding – What to Consider
Vinyl Siding: The Real Issues (from CT Trust for Historic Preservation): http://www.cttrust.org/index.cgi/1745
The Vinyl Lie (The reputability of this source is uncertain but the points he makes are, in general, very accurate.): http://www.oldlouisville.com/circa1900/Vinyl-Lie.htm
Windows
Nice summary on Saving Wood Windows from New Jersey’s Preservation office: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/4sustain/windowsave.pdf
Quick article with further instructions from eBuild.com: http://www.ebuild.com/guide/resources/product-news.asp?ID=211787&catCode=10
A Rhode Island – based wood window restorer: http://www.smithrestorationsash.com/
Preservation Websites
www.SPNEA.org
Historic New England (formerly Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities) www.vernaculararchitectureforum.org
Information, publications, and organization information
www.nthp.org
National Trust book catalog
www.ptn.org
Preservation Trades Network, information & links of interest
www.apti.org
The Association for Preservation Technology International
www.cr.nps.gov/
National Park Service preservation services, source of Preservation Briefs & other materials
www.heritagepreservation.org
Preservation information and good links
www.oldhouseweb.com
Covers many areas of old house maintenance and repair – useful
www.oldhousejournal.com
Site of the magazine of the same title, covers many areas and is regularly up-dated
www.traditional-building.com
Another magazine site with very good resource listings
Historic Product Vendors & Resources
www.abatron.com
Abatron Inc. 1-800-445-1754, epoxy wood fillers and a range of epoxy products
www.obdyke.com
Cedar Breather, 1-800-346-7655, a product that creates air space between shingles and sheathing
www.chimneys.com
General site with information and further links concerning chimney and fireplace safety products
www.chimneysweeps.com
List, by state, of licensed sweeps, information and links
www.thermocreteusa.com
Explains the process and benefits of this unique chimney lining process
www.ncsg.org
National Chimney Sweeps Guild, another listing of sweeps and info.
www.paiint.org
Various information on paint coating and links
www.paintinfo.com
Variety of paint areas covered
www.paintquality.com
Similar to above site
www.PRGinc.com
Products, information, & excellent book catalog
www.preservationweb.com
Products and services
www.usheritage.com
Masonry services & products
PRESERVATION & RESTORATION – Books
General Preservation Titles
Barthel, Diane
Historic Preservation, Rutgers University Press, 1966 Brand, Stuart
How Buildings Learn, Penguin Books, 1994.
Lindgren, James M.
Preserving Historic New England, Oxford University Press, 1995.
Mansfield, Howard
The Same Ax, Twice, University Press of New England, 2000.
Preservation Guides & References
Bristow, Ian
Interior House Paint Colours & Technique 1615 – 1846, Yale Univ. Press, 1996.
Bucher, Ward, editor
Dictionary of Building Preservation, Preservation Press, 1996.
Bullock, Orin M.
The Restoration Manuel, Silvermine Publishers, 1966 Candee, Richard
House Paints in Colonial America, Chromatic Publishing Co., out of print.
Hoadley, R. Bruce
Identifying Wood Taunton Press, 1990.
Kitchen, Judith L.
Caring For Your Old House, Preservation Press, 1991.
Maycock, Susan & Zimmerman,Sarah
Painting Historic Exteriors, Cambridge Historical Commission, 1998.
Millar, William
Plastering Plain and Decorative, BUT. Bats ford, 1897; reprinted Don head Publishing Ltd., 2001.
Miller, Judith & Martin
Period Finishes and Effects, Rizzoli, 1992.
Moss, Roger, editor
Paint in America, Preservation Press, 1994.
Nash, George
Restoring Old Houses, Taunton Press, 1998.
Phillips, Steven J.
Old House Dictionary, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994.
Weeks, Kay D. & Grimmer, Anne E.
The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, US Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995.
Whelehel, Harriet – editor
Caring For Your Historic House, Harry Abrams Inc., 1998.
Wilbur, C. Keith
Homebuilding & Woodwork in Colonial America, The Globe Pequot Press, 1992.
General Architectural, 18th century
Ayres, James
Building the Georgian City, Yale University Press, 1998.
Cummings, Abbott Lowell
The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, Belknap Press, 1979.
Palladio, Andrea
The Four Books on Architecture, MIT Press 1998.
Parissien, Steven
The Georgian House in Britain and America, Rizzoli, 1995.
Trevernor, Robert
Palladio and Palladianism, Thames and Hudson, 1991.
Hafertepe, Keneth & O’Gorman, James F.
American Architects and Their Books to 1848, University of Press, 2001.
Information about the history of house paint and about NRF's own historic colors (including sources for buying your own).
Check out this helpful, annotated list of our favorite books, articles and web links related to Historic Preservation and Architecture.
A helpful review of building styles between 1620 and 1840.
Every house has a story to tell, and uncovering that story is like a treasure hunt. Take the time to sift through the records and the history of your property will slowly unfold. You will come to learn more about the history of the structure, its residents, and its role in a larger neighborhood story.
