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NRF in the News

For more than 50 years, the Newport Restoration Foundation has been a force for change in Newport. Just as the city of Newport has transformed over the past few decades, so has NRF. But at its core, NRF has continued to steward cultural heritage through the work of preservation, skill building, and storytelling. We’re moving forward as a more sustainable, programmatically relevant, community-focused organization.

We invite you to follow along with us as we move forward with renewed focus on our community— please join us in our mission to foster resiliency, adaptability, and livability through our work in Newport.

News, Press & Media

The Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport Announce the 19th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards Honorees

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) and the City of Newport are thrilled to announce the recipients of the annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards for exemplary projects of historic preservation in Newport. The Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards are a collaboration of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport. Award winners are recognized at the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards ceremony, a signature celebration taking place on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Rough Point in Newport. Learn more at newportrestoration.org/ddpa

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society & the Newport Restoration Foundation Announces Juneteenth Programming, Exhibition Opening

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (RIBHS) and the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) are announcing programming in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday including the opening of A Matter of Truth-Newport, an exhibition on view at Vernon House/46 Clarke Street, Newport. The community is invited to an afternoon and evening of storytelling, history, and reflection as part of a special event celebrating Black freedom and honoring the rich and complex history of African heritage and Indigenous peoples in Rhode Island.

Call for Nominations: 2025 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is announcing the open call for nominations for the 2025 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards. The annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards – a joint program of the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) and the City of Newport – encourage excellence in historic preservation by recognizing exemplary projects that carry forward the legacy of Doris Duke and have had a significant impact on the preservation of the cultural and historic fabric of Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 2, 2025.

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces Successful 18th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

The Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards are a collaboration of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport.

Newport Restoration Foundation’s Board of Trustees Announce Change in Leadership Structure

The Board of Trustees of the Newport Restoration Foundation is restructuring the leadership of the organization.

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces 18th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award Honorees

The annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, a joint program of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport, encourage excellence in historic preservation by recognizing exemplary preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation projects in Newport County.

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces Historic Masonry Workshop

This four-day workshop offers a unique, interactive opportunity to get hands on with history.

Keeping History Above Water

Newport Restoration Foundation and the Department of Defense Announce Keeping History Above Water: Pacific

The eleventh Keeping History Above Water conference is in Honolulu, HI on June 13th, 2024.

Newport Restoration Foundation Begins a Residential-Scale Energy Efficiency Study of Historic Properties

The project begins in 2024 at 38 Green Street in Newport.

Newport Restoration Foundation’s Rough Point Museum Phase One Restoration Awarded a 2023 AIA Honor & Design Citation for Historic Preservation

The Phase I restoration at Rough Point has been awarded a 2023 AIA Honor and Design Citation from the American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island.

Holiday Gift Buying Guide 2023

This holiday season—whether you are cozy at home or away on an adventure— here are some great ideas to help […]

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces Rough Point Museum Now Free For All Newport County Residents

The announcement of free admission to Rough Point Museum for Newport County residents caps off a landmark year for NRF.

Restoration workers inspecting building frame construction inside a workshop

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces New Session of Preservation Trades Specialist Training Pilot Program for 2023-2024

Newport, RI, October 6, 2023 – The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is announcing a new session of its pilot Preservation […]

A framed 2023 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award for the Newport Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission.

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces 17th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award Honorees

August 24, 2023, Newport, RI— The Newport Restoration Foundation is announcing the recipients of its annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation […]

In the Garden: July at a Glance with Estate Gardener, Ainsley Chew

Is there anything better than July in the garden? It may depend on who you ask, but for me it […]

NRF President Frankie Vagnone discusses Vernon House, the creation of NRF, and new directions

President Frankie Vagnone sat down with Newport This Week to discuss the Vernon House, and the future of NRF.

Art&Newport and NRF present GAMES, GAMBLERS & CARTOMANCERS: The New Cardsharps

Art&Newport and the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the opening of a contemporary art exhibit at 46 Clarke Street, otherwise known as “The Vernon House.”

Call for Nominations: 2023 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

The annual Doris Duke Preservation Awards, a joint program of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport, are calling upon the local community to nominate innovative and best practice preservation projects.

Cato Vernon: Carpenter & Revolutionary War Veteran

Who was Cato Vernon? One of our ongoing projects is to discover more about the people who lived, worked, […]

Keeping History Above Water

Portsmouth Speakers Announced

Keeping History Above Water: Portsmouth 2023 Speakers List and Registration Information

Keeping History Above Water

Keeping History Above Water: Portsmouth Call for Speakers

Keeping History Above Water®: Portsmouth Call for Speakers Strawbery Banke Museum, the City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Planning Department and […]

Keeping History Above Water

Consultant Selected for City of Newport’s Design Guidelines for Elevating Historic Buildings

Newport Restoration Foundation and City of Newport Select Consultant for City’s Design Guidelines for Elevating Historic Buildings The Newport Restoration […]

Upcoming Events at NRF: October 2022

We hope you will join us for the exciting variety of programs planned this month!

A “Brief” Summer at NRF and the Swimsuits That Spoke to Me

University of Rhode Island intern Mel Kennelly reflects on her summer immersed in Doris Duke's extensive fashion collection.

Upcoming Events at NRF: September 2022

September brings with it a new season and the last of our Whitehorne Days and Second Sundays programming for 2022. […]

Uncovering the History of NRF’s Paint Collection

NRF's colorful paint collection has a history all its own. Salve Regina University intern Elizabeth Baza took on the task of cataloging decades of paint information.

Upcoming Events: August 2022

Summer programming for visitors of all ages continues at Rough Point Museum, Whitehorne House Museum, and Prescott Farm!

Request for Proposals: Graphic Support for Newport’s Design Guidelines for Elevating Historic Buildings

The Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport are seeking qualified consultants or architectural firms to develop graphics for the City’s Design Guidelines for Elevating Historic Buildings.

Upcoming Events: July 2022

Rough Point Museum, Whitehorne House Museum, and Prescott Farm will offer a variety of free and ticketed programs for all ages and interests this July.

Creating the Next Generation of Museum Professionals at NRF

Summer tends to be intern season at NRF’s museums—a time when we welcome one or more up-and-coming museum professionals to […]

Thank You for Celebrating Preservation

Thank you for following along throughout Preservation Month as we shared updates on our preservation projects and the people who make them possible.

NRF Mourns the Loss of Former Director of Preservation, Robert Foley

With profound sadness, Newport Restoration Foundation shares the news of the passing of our former Director of Preservation, Robert Foley. His passion and dedication to NRF helped shape our organization.

Newport Restoration Foundation Announces New President

The Newport Restoration Foundation has selected Franklin Vagnone to serve as the organization’s President, following a competitive national search. Vagnone comes to Newport from the Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC where he served as President and CEO of the renowned national historic landmark heritage site. He will assume this new role on July 11, 2022.

Restoring Rough Point

Historic homes require regular maintenance, and Rough Point Museum is no exception.

Championing Career Development in Preservation Trades

The mission of the Historic Trades Initiative is to perpetuate and diversify the historic trades by creating strong connections with our community and sharing our expertise.

Celebrate Preservation Month By Joining Restoration Partners!

In honor of Preservation Month this May, we invite you to become part of the community of individuals who care deeply about protecting historic resources in Newport.

NRF Now Accepting Nominations for 2022 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

The annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, a joint program of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport, encourages excellence in historic preservation by recognizing exemplary preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation projects as well as education and advocacy initiatives that have taken place throughout Aquidneck Island. This year’s deadline for nominations is June 1, 2022.

Celebrating the People Supporting Historic Preservation

May is Preservation Month. This year’s theme of “People Saving Places” gives us the opportunity to recognize the team who maintain one of the largest collections of period architecture owned by any single organization in the United States.

What’s New At NRF’s Museum Store

Whether you are looking for a perfect gift or are celebrating the coming of spring, check out what’s new at our museum store.

NRF joins Rhode Island nonprofits for #401Gives statewide Giving Day

This April, nonprofit organizations across Rhode Island are participating in the statewide giving day known as #401Gives. Starting at midnight […]

Nanaline Duke: Collector and Influencer

Nanaline Duke: Collector and Influencer

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are highlighting women collectors, artists, and makers who are an important part of the stories we tell at NRF.

The Craft of Conservation: Reupholstering a Chaise Lounge

This bright and bold pattern featuring birds, butterflies, and blossoms is on the fabric covering the recently reupholstered chaise lounge in Doris Duke’s bedroom.

Julian Abele: Architect and Designer

To celebrate Black History Month, we are featuring the stories of African-heritage and African Americans who are an integral part of our story and our communities stories—along with resources so you can discover more!

Your 2021 NRF Holiday Gift Guide

Let us help you celebrate the season! We’ve made holiday shopping easy by putting together some great gift ideas from the NRF Museum Store.

Restoring Whitehorne’s Windows

What’s the story behind Whitehorne House’s windows? When Mill Supervisor Peter Raposa was tasked with restoring these historic sashes, the investigation began to uncover just how original these windows were to the home.

An Intimate Connection: Exploring Doris Duke’s Wardrobe

It’s hard to imagine an heiress wearing a t-shirt, but you may be surprised to know Doris Duke collected many t-shirts from the places she visited. Paige Bailey, NRF’s curatorial graduate intern for 2021, got up close and personal with some unique items from Doris Duke’s wardrobe this past summer and fall, and shared her experience for the NRF Blog.

Upcoming Events: October 2021

Newport Restoration Foundation is excited to be able to continue in-person programs and events at our museums this fall.

Upcoming Events: September 2021

Newport Restoration Foundation is excited to be able to continue in-person programs and events at our museums this September

You’re Invited to IN THE WAVES

In the Waves by Melissa McGill is a series of live free public art performances coming this August to Rough Point.

Upcoming Events: August 2021

Learn about fun programs and events coming to our museums this August!

In the Waves: Call for Participants

In the Waves: Call for Participants

In the Waves by Melissa McGill is a series of live free public art performances coming this August to Rough Point! You are invited to join the ensemble and take part in this inclusive movement based artwork which evokes the urgency of rising sea levels and a rapidly changing climate.

The Roses of Rough Point

Working in a garden makes you keep track of seasons and time in a different way than the calendar. As the Estate Gardener at the Newport Restoration Foundation, I watch for the year’s passing through the evolution of the grounds, what blooms and what fades, and I feel more in tune with the world through the looking glass of nature.

Upcoming Events: July 2021

Join us in July for activities for all ages across three museums on Aquidneck Island.

Whitehorne House Museum Presents: Collective Perspectives: Colonial Revival(s)?

Join the Newport Restoration Foundation and its Whitehorne House Museum for a series of online discussions that explore why Americans routinely seek inspiration from the material culture and personalities of British, colonial America. In other words, “Why do we return to the Colonial Revival?”

Upcoming Events: June 2021

Newport Restoration Foundation is excited to be able to bring in-person programs and events back to our museums starting June 4. Rough Point Museum, Whitehorne House Museum, and Prescott Farm will offer a variety of free and ticketed programs for all ages and interests.

Living in History: A Steward’s Story

NRF Tenant Steward Sandra Liotus took a moment to tell us about her journey to discovering NRF's John Davis House and her experience living amidst history for the last 23 years.

Behind the Walls: Uncovering the History of Vernon House

In the Fall of 2020, the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) embarked on a historic structures report (HSR) at the William Vernon House (46 Clarke Street). The process has literally taken NRF behind the walls, and beneath the floorboards, to gain a deeper understanding of the building’s history.

The Not-So-Famous Designers of Doris Duke’s Wardrobe

Let's take a closer look at the stories behind the fashion items in the Rough Point collection that were made by some not-so-famous designers!

Celebrate Preservation Month By Joining Restoration Partners!

Will you help us meet our goal of welcoming 20 new monthly donors?

Earth Day Bingo at Prescott Farm

This Earth Day head out to Prescott Farm for Nature Bingo!

NRF joins Rhode Island nonprofits for #401Gives statewide Giving Day

401Gives is an initiative of United Way of Rhode Island. Its purpose is to bring a collective voice to Rhode Island’s nonprofit community and deepen the state’s culture of philanthropy.

Readying Rough Point: An Interview with Linda Knierim

As we get ready to welcome visitors to a new season at Rough Point, we looked back to how former residents used to prepare for Doris Duke’s arrival at Rough Point for the season. We spoke with Linda Knierim, whose parents were caretakers of Rough Point in 1961.

2020: A Year of Care and Creativity at NRF’s Museums

2020 was a year of care and creativity at NRF’s museums. New on the NRF blog, Dr. Erik Greenberg, NRF’s Director of Museums, reflects on the past year’s challenges and triumphs and looks forward to the future.

Holiday Recipes from the Kitchen of Doris Duke

According to former staff, when Doris Duke particularly enjoyed a recipe she would have it faxed to her other homes so that the cooks in each house could learn how to make the dish. Here are some recipes from Doris Duke’s personal recipe collection.

Bringing the Outside Inside

In part two of our special interview with Rough Point' Estate Gardener Tessa Young, we talk about off-season gardening at Rough Point, advice on how to prep your plants and gardens for the winter, and how to successfully get cozy this winter with houseplants.

Caring for Our Collections: An Interview with Head Housekeeper, Pamela Carolino Lima

We took a moment to interview Pamela Carolino Lima, Head Housekeeper at NRF, to hear more about projects during the off-season at Rough Point, get advice for cleaning furniture and other surfaces in our homes, and preserving our museums for future generations to enjoy.

NRF Mourns the Loss of Former Board Chair, Roger Mandle

With profound sadness, Newport Restoration Foundation shares the news of the passing on November 28, 2020 of our former Board Chair, Roger Mandle.

Send Us Your Memories of Newport

As a member of the Newport community, NRF embraces the textured history of the city, and welcomes the stories and memories of the many different people who lived and live here.

Your NRF Holiday Gift Guide

Check out our Holiday Gift Guide to help make it easier to find that special gift this holiday season.

Winter is Coming: An Interview with Rough Point’s Estate Gardener, Tessa Young

We took some time to interview Estate Gardener, Tessa Young, to see what goes into winterizing the grounds of Rough Point, what the camels will be up to, as well as what not-to-miss when you visit the museum this fall and winter.

Prescott Farm Donates Pumpkins

The University of Rhode Island Master Gardeners, who generously care for the gardens at NRF's Prescott Farm, have grown pumpkins which will be donated this month to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport.

Time Traveling Through Doris Duke’s Wardrobe

Could you imagine spending a summer unboxing Doris Duke’s wardrobe? This year, Rough Point Museum received a donation of hundreds of fashion items from the collection at Shangri La, Doris Duke’s home in Hawaii. Summer 2020 Collections Intern, Alyssa C. Opishinski, was tasked with documenting these items and explains what it was like “Time Traveling Through Doris Duke’s Wardrobe.”

Make a Pinwheel!

Make a pinwheel that catches the wind like sails do!

Make Your Own Forever Flowers!

Learn how to make your own flowers that you can keep forever!

The Dog Days of Summer

The cicadas call from the trees, the gardens have slowed down their growth, and the air has become thick and still: we have entered into the dog days of summer.

Make A Book From Recycled Materials!

Learn how to make a book out of recycled materials to celebrate National Book Lovers’ Day on August 9!

Telling a More Complete Story: Interpretation at NRF Museums

This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rough Point Museum being open to the public, and this is the second year that the Whitehorne House Museum will be open to the public after a long period of rethinking and reinterpretation. This seemed like a good moment to reflect back on the work we’ve done and the work we aspire to do at both museums.

Printing with Nature

Learn how to make your own art from nature!

An Update on the Christopher Townsend House

A letter from the Newport Restoration Foundation in regard to the future of the Christopher Townsend House.

Making a Field Journal

A field journal is important to the work of scientists who study nature, and they’re pretty fun to make too!

The Power of Wind: Create a Weather Vane!

We learned about the Power of Wind from our May Second Sunday From Home program. Now it’s time to learn how to create your own weather vane!

Make a #CamelCreation!

Video: Our talented grounds and gardens crew adds new plants to the camel sculptures every year, so they never look exactly the same. Now you can try your hand at decorating your own camel, and when we reopen check out how Princess and Baby are dressed this year!

NRF Joins United Way of Rhode Island in Upcoming Statewide Giving Day

#401Gives is an initiative of United Way of Rhode Island. Its purpose is to bring a collective voice to Rhode Island’s nonprofit community and deepen the state’s culture of philanthropy.

NRF Celebrates #5WomenArtists

Newport Restoration Foundation is honored to have several pieces created by women in our fine and decorative art collections. We’ve spotlighted five of these women artists here, and invite you to see them for yourself when our museums open this spring!

Will You Help Us Get to 20?

Throughout the month of May, we have shared stories about our current projects and the people behind the scenes who help make NRF’s preservation work possible.

Keeping History Above Water

City of Newport adopts guidelines for elevating houses

“The City of Newport is proud to be one of the first communities in the country to adopt standards designed […]

NRF Brings “Furniture Forward” to Christie’s Americana Week

Newport Restoration Foundation is pleased to collaborate with Christie’s Auction House on a special lecture event for their upcoming Americana Week (January 17 – 24).

Making a House a Home

As I write this post, fall is in the air, and I am fast approaching the end of my first “season” in Newport. Whitehorne House will close at the end of October, and Rough Point will close in mid-November,

Beyond the Stage: Doris Duke, Jazz Musician

Doris Duke (1912-1993) was a tobacco heiress, generous philanthropist, savvy businesswoman, discerning collector, visionary preservationist—and amateur musician.

NRF Announces Upcoming Fall Programming

Celebrate the fall season with Newport Restoration Foundation.

Familiar Faces: Discovering the Dukes of Rough Point

On the morning of my first day at NRF as the Laird Museum Studies Intern, I nearly missed my exit. When I pulled onto the I-95 South ramp from Providence, I realized that if I just kept driving, the interstate would take me all the way down the Eastern Seaboard to North Carolina.

Your Camel Questions, Answered!

You asked and we’re answering! In our interactive talk back section of the Beyond Fortune: The Life & Legacy of Doris Duke exhibition at Rough Point, so many of you wanted to know: What happened to Doris Duke’s camels?

Keeping History Above Water

In the News: ‘We Cannot Save Everything’

A Historic Neighborhood Confronts Rising Seas.

NRF in the News: ‘We Cannot Save Everything’: A Historic Neighborhood Confronts Rising Seas

“Doris Duke did a wonderful thing fifty-some years ago when she preserved these Colonial houses,” he said. “Here we are 50 years later, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the work she did is not lost..."

Newport Restoration Foundation Presents Summer 2019 Program Lineup

From Rosé with the Roses, to Jazz on the Lawn, we have something for everyone this summer at NRF!

Keeping History Above Water

It’s official: Keeping History Above Water has entered the wonderful world of podcasts. Doug Parsons, the host of America Adapts: […]

My Favorite Feet: 18th-Century Newport Furniture and the 21st-Century Culture of Consumerism

Ever since I took on the post of Director of Museums, I have had to learn a lot of information about a lot of different things, from how to get into our offices at Rough Point without setting off the alarm, to an understanding of the life and legacy of Doris Duke. I have also spent a fair amount of time learning about the collection and interpretation of NRF’s museum at the Whitehorne House, which, when it reopens on May 29th, 2019...

See What’s On at NRF This Spring

Join us this spring for activities for all ages across three museums on Aquidneck Island.

NRF Property Spotlight: Prescott Farm

Prescott Farm may be the best kept secret on Aquidneck Island. This 40-acre property is the largest open space park on the island and boasts not only multiple historic buildings, but also a rare double capacity windmill from 1812.

Introducing NRF’s Restoration Partners Program!

Newport Restoration Foundation is pleased to announce the launching of a monthly giving program – the Restoration Partners program...

6 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Doris Duke

At Rough Point, the questions asked most by visitors are not always about the priceless artworks, the architecture, or the history of the building. The questions most frequently asked are about the estate’s most recent owner: heiress, preservationist, and art collector, Doris Duke.

My Favorite Room: Doris Duke’s Bedroom

As a scholar of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but one who has—until recently—had little opportunity to spend time in New England, I have developed a particular, though less than fully informed, vision of the wealthy women and men who called Newport their summer home and what their so-called summer cottages must have looked like.

4 Objects to Love at Rough Point

Hearts may not have been one of Doris Duke’s favorite design motifs, but heart shapes can be found in several places throughout her Newport estate. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at some of the hidden hearts in the fine and decorative arts collection at Rough Point.

Meet Erik: NRF’s Director of Museums

Sometime during my first week serving as the NRF’s Director of Museums, our Marketing Manager suggested that I write an introductory blog post. I said, “Sure, in fact, I think I’ll write two, an introduction and something about my favorite room at Rough Point...

Thank you, Mrs. Charles

Newport Restoration Foundation is deeply saddened by the recent passing of our Chair Emerita, Mrs. Marion Oates “Oatsie” Charles on December 5, 2018.

Coming This Fall at NRF

Join us this Fall for more events celebrating this year’s theme of NRF at 50!

Check Out What’s On This August @ NRF

The month of August is jam-packed with fun activities that continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Newport Restoration Foundation. We’ll be looking back at — and sometimes reviving — what Doris Duke and others were up to around the time of its founding and much more! Please mark your calendars for special events including...

NRF Announces Upcoming Program Schedule

This spring and summer, NRF will offer public programming that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Newport Restoration Foundation by looking back at — and sometimes reviving — what Doris Duke and others were up to around the time of its founding. Please mark your calendars for special events including:

Welcome to Our New Website!

Newport Restoration Foundation is proud to announce the launch of our brand new website! Our new user-friendly, mobile responsive site, has been designed to encourage exploration as well as provide educational resources to the community and beyond.

Mothers Among Us

Walking through Rough Point on Mother’s Day, I’m particularly aware of the mothers looking on from their gilded-framed perches. Nanaline Holt Inman Duke’s presence via portrait is mere inches away as we walk upstairs to what was her bedroom, now arranged as her daughter, Doris Duke, decorated it and used it a few decades ago.

Development Coordinator

NRF seeks a Development Coordinator responsible for establishing, developing and maintaining a fundraising program to support and enhance the mission of the Foundation.

How to Obtain a Soil Sample

Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers or simply caring for your lawn, proper soil is the key to good results. The trained Master Gardeners will evaluate the texture and pH of your soil sample, provide advice on improving your growing conditions, and tell you how to get more detailed testing.

How to Obtain a Soil Sample

Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers or simply caring for your lawn, proper soil is the key to good results. The trained Master Gardeners will evaluate the texture and pH of your soil sample, provide advice on improving your growing conditions, and tell you how to get more detailed testing.

Home Maintenance & Preservation Resources

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!

Historic Paint Colors

Information about the history of house paint and about NRF's own historic colors (including sources for buying your own).

Historic Paint Colors

Information about the history of house paint and about NRF's own historic colors (including sources for buying your own).

Home Maintenance & Preservation Resources

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!

History of Architectural Styles

A helpful review of building styles between 1620 and 1840.

How to Research Your Historic House

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.

Historic Homeowner’s Toolkit

Historic preservationists do not want to freeze time. Preservation is not about resisting change, rather it’s about managing change so that as communities evolve they do not lose their special places along the way. All old buildings - from the plainest barn to the most elaborate mansion, from a 1750s Georgian house to a 1950s ranch house – deserve to be preserved. This is how we hold onto our heritage and keep our community’s character.

Keeping History Above Water

Saving Miami’s History From the Sea

Keeping History Above Water in Florida Reposted from CityLab A recent piece in CityLab describing how a coalition of archaeologists are […]

Keeping History Above Water

4 Lessons from Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis

Conference Recap By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow The second Keeping History Above Water conference concluded on November 1 in […]

Keeping History Above Water

A win for climate and heritage

Rising Tides Awarded Kaplan Innovation Grant It’s a good day for social innovator and two-time Keeping History Above Water alumna […]

Keeping History Above Water

Keeping History Above Water 2017: Day 3

Conference Recap By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow The third day of Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis began with a […]

Keeping History Above Water

Keeping History Above Water 2017: Day 2

Conference Recap By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow Day two of Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis saw improved weather in Annapolis […]

Keeping History Above Water

Keeping History Above Water 2017: Day 1

Conference Recap By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow The second Keeping History Above Water conference began on October 29, on a […]

Keeping History Above Water

Heritage in Resiliency Planning

History on an Eroding Beach By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow In early October of 2017, the San Francisco Planning […]

Keeping History Above Water

The Inevitability of Loss

Planning for what we can’t save By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow As the effects of climate change on our […]

Keeping History Above Water

Planning in the Wake of Disaster

Preparing For the Next Storm By Carlo Urmy, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Fellow In the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, preservationists […]

Renoir at Rough Point: Knitting Together the Threads of a Hidden Treasure

Until recently, very little was known about this wonderful, but mysterious, painting in Rough Point’s collection. NRF's Laird Graduate Intern in Museum Studies, had the opportunity to dive deeply into research on both the house and its collection, and I found out there's more to this painting than originally thought.

Keeping History Above Water

The Uninhabitable Earth Reposted from NYMag.com Keeping History Above Water aims to advance knowledge and adaptation strategies for coastal communities facing […]

Keeping History Above Water

KHAW: ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

KHAW Travels to Maryland Conference Program Announced Newport, RI, June 27, 2017 – The Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of […]

Keeping History Above Water

Rhode Island Stands Up for Science

Climate Change is Real Rhode Island to Join States in Paris Climate Agreement Pact

Welcome back, Mr. Duke!

This season, we are celebrating a family reunion of sorts. After 17 years, Nanaline, Doris, and James B. Duke are together again at the top of the grand staircase at Rough Point.

Keeping History Above Water

Climate & Heritage Jobs, Internships, and Events

Opportunities in the Field Updated April 2017 Do you work at the intersection of heritage and climate change? Are you […]

Keeping History Above Water

Voices from the Field
Anna Woodham

Interview Museums & Climate Change Education Talking about climate change and saving heritage has been Dr. Anna Woodham’s focus for the […]

Keeping History Above Water

Museums: We Need to Talk About Climate Change

Museums: We Need to Talk About Climate Change

Manchester Museum (UK) Museums & Climate Change Education Museums, like almost almost everything else, will be affected by changing temperatures, […]

Keeping History Above Water

Protect. Prepare. Conserve.

Protect. Prepare. Conserve.

Climate Change at the Museum? By Alanna Casey and Julianne Fontana, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Interns For obvious reasons, discussions about climate […]

Keeping History Above Water

Material Vulnerability & Climate Change

Material Vulnerability & Climate Change

Cracks Preservation Must Fill By Alanna Casey & Julianne Fontana, NRF-US/ICOMOS graduate interns Historic structures were built to withstand the weather […]

Keeping History Above Water

Preservation Policy for a Changing World

Preservation Policy for a Changing World

A place for climate law? By Alanna Casey & Julianne Fontana, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Interns How we choose to save the […]

Keeping History Above Water

Pop Quiz: Climate Impacts on Iconic Historic Sites

Test Your Knowledge By Alanna Casey and Julianne Fontana, NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Interns When you picture the effects of climate change, what […]

Keeping History Above Water

FloodList: Protecting Heritage Resources

KHAW Media Coverage By Ed Hill, FloodList From FloodList.com, December 21, 2016, written by Ed Hill. | Excerpt from article […]

Keeping History Above Water

22 #CLIMATEACTIONS from COP22

22 Climate Actions Recap By Alanna Casey and Julianne Fontana, 2016 NRF-US/ICOMOS Graduate Interns Leading up to COP22, we posted […]

Keeping History Above Water

The Climate and Cultural Heritage Family Grows

Stay connected! By Alanna Casey and Julianne Fontana, 2016 Graduate Interns, NRF COP22 – the 22nd Conference of the Parties […]

Keeping History Above Water

When Climate Changes Your Dinner Plate

Climate Change for Dinner By Julianne Fontana, 2016 Graduate Intern, NRF Imagine the regional cuisines we love today without their […]

Keeping History Above Water

Safeguarding Heritage Above and Below Water

Heritage Underwater By Alanna Casey and Julianne Fontana, 2016 Graduate Interns, NRF Sea-level rise is a threat to historic buildings […]

Keeping History Above Water

Interdisciplinary Partnerships: We’re All in This Together

As it turns out, launching the inaugural Keeping History Above Water conference this past April was only the beginning. Over the […]

Newport, Rhode Island | 2016

Newport, Rhode Island | 2016

In April 2016, the Newport Restoration Foundation convened Keeping History Above Water®, in Newport Rhode Island. It was one of the first […]

Keeping History Above Water

New Orleans Changes How It Handles Rain and Flooding

New Orleans Learns to Love Water author: Laura Bliss From The Atlantic, July/August issue, written by Laura Bliss | contribution to […]

Keeping History Above Water

Call for Papers

Conference Publication 2016 Contribute! How can historic resources survive flooding due to climate change? Check out the next opportunity to contribute […]

Keeping History Above Water

Conference Publication: Call for Mini-Papers

Conference Publication Call for mini-papers The conference may be over, but the work continues!

Keeping History Above Water

A shifting coastline in Connecticut

Building bridges through resilience The efforts to keep history above water continues at Resilient Bridgeport One of many productive connections […]

Keeping History Above Water

Conference Website Receives Museum Publication Honors

NEMA Awards Publication Honors to HistoryAboveWater.org The New England Museum Association awarded first place in the website category to HistoryAboveWater.org […]

Keeping History Above Water

Climate Heritage Coalition Enters Its Second Year

Climate Heritage Coalition author: Jeana Wiser From the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum, May 17th, 2016 | a contribution to their […]

Keeping History Above Water

Continuing to Keep History Above Water

Continuing to Keep History Above Water author: Margot Nishimura From the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum, May 16th, 2016 | a […]

Keeping History Above Water

Hazard Mitigation: Expecting the Unexpected

Expecting the Unexpected author: Roderick Scott From the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum, May 12th, 2016 | a contribution to their […]

Keeping History Above Water

Postcards from the Edge

Postcards from the Edge author: Victoria Hermann From the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum, May 11th, 2016 | a contribution to […]

Keeping History Above Water

A Unity of Purpose: Keeping History Above Water & The Pocantico Call to Action

The Newport Meeting A reconvening of the Pocantico Call to Action Coalition, 2016 Keeping History Above Water was everything we […]

Keeping History Above Water

7 lessons from our Closing Roundtable

The Conference May Be Over ….but the conversation is just starting We wrapped up day 3 of Keeping History Above […]

Keeping History Above Water

4 Lessons from Day 2

Keeping History Above Water, our groundbreaking international conference on sea level rise and historic preservation, kicked off yesterday as preservationists, […]

Keeping History Above Water

It’s begun: Day 1

Day One The first day in Newport, Rhode Island Day One of Keeping History Above Water started out on a sunny […]

Keeping History Above Water

Worth a Thousand Words: Picturing the next generation of historic preservation

The next generation Poster presentations at Keeping History Above Water From the very beginning, Keeping History Above Water has been […]

Keeping History Above Water

Crowdsourcing Solutions to Sea Level Rise

Crowdsourcing Solutions To truly save entire communities, we need to engage entire communities – even the people who aren’t necessarily […]

Keeping History Above Water

All About the Buildings

The central role of historic structures in Keeping History Above Water When we speak about sea level rise and the […]

Keeping History Above Water

From Federal to State to Municipal: The role of government in protecting our coastal heritage

The role of government In protecting our coastal heritage Keeping History Above Water will gather experts from across the globe […]

Keeping History Above Water

National and International Experts to Speak on Sea Level Rise and Historic Preservation

Press Release A highlight of speakers and topics Keeping History Above Water includes speakers from Union of Concerned Scientists, National […]

Keeping History Above Water

Coverage for Keeping History Above Water

KHAW in the News Where we’ve been mentioned and where to look for information See below for outlets covering Keeping History […]

Keeping History Above Water

Sea Level Rise: A Modern Threat with a Long History

Modern Threat w/ a Long History Looking at the big picture of sea level rise We’ve been touting Keeping History […]

Keeping History Above Water

Get Credit for Helping Us Make History

Up to 15 HSW credits for AIA members Keeping History Above Water, the Newport Restoration Foundation’s groundbreaking conference on sea […]

Keeping History Above Water

Conference Information

Frequently Asked Questions …. and answers Where can I purchase tickets? Online ticket sales are closed – but that’s okay! […]

Keeping History Above Water

Report highlights impacts and regulations, by the numbers

Evaluation of Flood Hazards The Youngken Report is now available online Historic Coastal Communities and Flood Hazard: A Preliminary Evaluation […]

Keeping History Above Water

International Conference on the Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage

Press Release Keeping History Above Water addresses major threat to historic coastal communities, April 10-13. Newport, RI, March 1, 2016 – How […]

Keeping History Above Water

Newport Hit With Flooding After Storms, High Tide

Newport Hit With Flooding From GoLocalProv.com Tuesday, February 09, 2016, GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle – Parts of Newport including the […]

Keeping History Above Water

74 Bridge Street Project: A Model Approach to Sea Level Rise is Funded

Press Release The results of the 74 Bridge Street Project will be exhibited at Keeping History Above Water conference, April […]

Keeping History Above Water

Why Museums are Tackling Climate Change

Why Museums are Tackling Climate Change from the Center for the Future of Museums blog from the Center for the […]

Keeping History Above Water

Official Conference Press Release

Conference Announcement Keeping History Above Water Keeping History Above Water, a conference on the preservation of the built environment in […]

Keeping History Above Water

Museums & Climate Resilience: Working with Your Community

Museums & Climate Resilience: Working with Your Community

Museums & Climate Resilience from the Center for the Future of Museums blog from the Center for the Future of […]

Keeping History Above Water

Living on the Edge Conference, October 22 & 23

Living on the Edge Conference, October 22 & 23

Related Events Our colleagues at the Galveston Historical Foundation are convening the second annual Living on the Edge Conference this […]

Keeping History Above Water

Continuing the conversation about preservation and climate change

Public History Commons blog author: Kelsey Mullen, Newport Restoration Foundation From Public History Commons, September 11th, 2015 | a contribution by Kelsey […]

Keeping History Above Water

Climate Change in Newport

Climate Change in Newport author: Pieter N. Roos, Newport Restoration Foundation From the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum, September 4th, […]

Energy Efficiency Tips for Old House Owners

Here are some simple things that YOU can do. Start at the top of each section with the least expensive, […]

Air Sealing & Weatherizing Your Building Envelope

These sites will you help you understand how to address the flow of air and moisture through your home's "envelope" (its roof, exterior wall, and foundation). Take some easy steps to save money, help the planet, and improve the comfort of your home.

Increasing Efficiency in Mechanical Systems

Information on efficient heating systems compiled by NRF for Historic Homeowner Workshops in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The workshops are a project of the Collaborative for Common Sense Preservation (the Newport Restoration Foundation, Preserve Rhode Island, and Historic New England.)

Paint the House

Today we often agonize over the color to paint our houses. What was the original color, what is appropriate for the style, what do I like? Light, dark, the choices are truly infinite today. When your color choice is finally made,

Wood Shingles: A Centuries Old Solution

Roofing materials have seen radical changes over the years; yet one common material has remained the same almost from the start of New England’s history.

Glass is Not a Liquid: Early Windows & Glassmaking

Following a recent lecture on Newport architecture, I felt compelled to do a bit of research to back up my knowledge that glass is not a flowing, “supercooled liquid” at all. The characteristics of historic glass are all due to its methods of manufacture, but the nature of the material itself required confirmation from the experts.

Love Your Historic District Commission

Without the Historic District Commission there would have been no official guidance for preservation and perhaps more importantly nobody to prevent demolition.