Newport, Rhode Island – June 30, 2026: The Newport Restoration Foundation is honored to announce that the organization’s portfolio of colonial homes has been named to Irreplaceable America, a new list from World Monuments Fund (WMF) recognizing 10 historic places across the United States whose preservation is essential to the richness and complexity of American history as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. From landmarks of public health and colonial architecture to sites central to Black history, Indigenous heritage, and artistic experimentation, the initiative spotlights places facing urgent preservation needs.
The Newport Restoration Foundation preserves one of the largest portfolios of colonial architecture in the United States. Between 1968 and 1976, Doris Duke’s NRF acquired, moved, and restored buildings on an unprecedented scale, creating an economic impact that helped revitalize the city. Five decades later, this portfolio continues to be an integral part of the economic, cultural, and architectural fabric of the community. These houses stand as living monuments that contain stories of generations of Newporters. Today, they help foster a more nuanced, comprehensive sense of an American identity and a shared history and now serve as sites of learning, memory, engagement, and inspiration.
Newport is facing a crisis due to the accelerating impacts of climate change. Nearly half of NRF’s historic properties are vulnerable to inundation caused by sea level rise and climate change. This threat is compounded by preservation and maintenance challenges resulting from a portfolio of 70 historic properties that were last comprehensively restored over 50 years ago, a waning pool of historic craftspeople, and changing standards of modern livability. Just as NRF and founder Doris Duke were the influence behind preservation then, the organization is well-positioned to be a similar force today. Increased capacity to carry out climate-change adaptations, workforce training, and collaborative storytelling through these historic properties will significantly help advance the livability, resiliency, and vitality of Newport.
“The Newport Restoration Foundation is honored that our portfolio of colonial historic houses has been recognized by World Monuments Fund as an integral contribution to the built environment and the American story. When our founder Doris Duke laid out a bold vision to ‘preserve and restore’ the architectural and cultural heritage of Newport more than five decades ago, she was instrumental in catalyzing the revitalization of Newport and shaping the way that people live in, work in, and enjoy the City today,” said Edith McBean, President of the Board of Trustees of the Newport Restoration Foundation.
“On this momentous occasion of America’s 250th anniversary, our work is to continue to invest in the livability of these irreplaceable sites, advance resiliency in the wake of climate change, and ensure that these homes with long, significant histories have a sustainable future,” said Hilary Fagan, Executive Director of the Newport Restoration Foundation. “We extend our congratulations to our fellow Irreplaceable America sites and the important work they are undertaking to protect and promote our heritage. We are grateful to World Monuments Fund for the recognition, and we look forward to our strategic partnership as we address the increasing challenge of stewarding these 70 historic sites that are vital to our nation’s historic fabric.”
“The United States was built by people from every corner of the globe, shaped by Indigenous nations, early settlers, immigrant communities, and generations of cultural exchange,” said Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO of World Monuments Fund. “That complexity gave rise to some of America’s most enduring contributions, from colonial heritage to jazz and hip-hop and the Wright brothers’ invention of powered flight. After decades of work at more than 700 sites in 112 countries, WMF has seen what communities gain when they can protect the places that matter and what is lost when they cannot. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Irreplaceable America is a call to protect the places that reflect the richness of that history, and the role heritage plays in education, community memory, and civic life.”
The Newport Restoration Foundation’s portfolio of colonial homes appears on the list alongside nine other places reflecting both the breadth of American history and the range of preservation challenges that many historic sites face. The full 2026 Irreplaceable America list is: New York Smallpox Hospital Ruin, New York; Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Black Mountain College Studies Building, North Carolina; African Meeting House, Boston, Massachusetts; City of New Orleans, Louisiana; Colonial Homes of Newport, Rhode Island; Dallas City Hall, Texas; Mission Churches of Acoma and Laguna Pueblos, New Mexico; Watts Towers, Los Angeles, California; and the Wright Brothers Sites in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, WMF and the external jury extended a special recognition to the National Park Service in support of the institution’s central role in shaping preservation standards and stewarding more than 430 sites across the United States.
The nationwide open call for nominations resulted in 75 submissions, which underwent a structured internal review and were then evaluated by an independent expert panel. Nominations were assessed based on cultural significance, urgency of conservation needs, and the potential community benefit of preservation. The panel included Charles A. Birnbaum, President and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation; Charles L. Davis II, Associate Professor of Architectural History and Criticism and Program Director of the architecture PhD program at the University of Texas at Austin; Paul Goldberger, American author and architecture critic; Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History; Frank Sanchis, retired Regional Director for North America at World Monuments Fund; and Francisco Uviña‑Contreras, Professor of Architecture and Planning and Director of the historic preservation and regionalism graduate certificate program at the University of New Mexico.
For more information about Irreplaceable America, visit wmf.org. To learn more about The Newport Restoration Foundation, visit newportrestoration.org.
About the Newport Restoration Foundation
Founded in 1968 by philanthropist, collector, and preservationist Doris Duke (1912-1933), the nonprofit organization preserves, restores, and shares the architectural and cultural heritage of Newport. Today, NRF stewards more than 80 historic buildings and landscapes. 70 of these historic houses are lived in by tenants in a unique Tenant Stewardship program. Two of the historic sites are public-facing: Rough Point Museum and the Vernon House. Over the past decade, and following the legacy of founder Doris Duke’s life’s work, NRF has expanded its programmatic output and community engagement through core initiatives including Keeping History Above Water,™ which advocates for resiliency and the protection of cultural resources in the wake of climate change, the Historic Trades Initiative, which trains the next generation of preservation tradespeople in vital skills, and Telling Stories, which shares the stories of people connected to the places NRF cares for and helps ensure their preservation.
For more information, please visit www.NewportRestoration.org.NRF is on Facebook /NPTRestoration and Instagram @NPTRestoration
About World Monuments Fund
World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich people’s lives and build mutual understanding across cultures and communities. The organization is headquartered in New York City with offices and affiliates in Cambodia, China, France, India, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Since 1965, our global team of experts has preserved the world’s diverse cultural heritage using the highest international standards at more than 700 sites in 112 countries. Partnering with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF draws on heritage to address some of today’s most pressing challenges: climate adaptation, inclusive heritage, balanced tourism, and post-crisis recovery. With a commitment to the people who bring places to life, WMF embraces the potential of the past to create a more resilient and inclusive society.
Media Contact
Keaton Ramjit
Senior Manager, Media Relations
World Monuments Fund
kramjit@wmf.org
Gina Tangorra
Director of Engagement
Newport Restoration Foundation
media@newportrestoration.org
