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 April to November.
Experience the only museum in the world specializing in 18th-century Newport furniture and related decorative arts.
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.
Prescott Farm preserves 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.
Prescott Farm’s kitchen and herb gardens are tended to by a dedicated team from University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardener program and our living laboratories showcase the marriage of colonial horticultural practices with more modern gardening techniques. To enhance the rural landscape, Doris Duke relocated several historic buildings to the property, including an eye-catching windmill.
Each month NRF joins with a non-profit partner to highlight the expansive history and horticulture of Prescott Farm. Click here to see the theme for this month!
Learn the art of traditional stone wall construction and repair from the experts. Join master class instructors Chris and Dan Smith for their sixteenth year leading this hands-on workshop.
Gary Casabona, Rhode Island state biologist, returns to talk about native plants, the importance of attracting and maintaining a pollinator population, and other hot topics this year.
Stone walls are all over the New England landscape, and NRF has restored hundreds of feet of wall at Prescott Farm with the help of two master builders and many helping hands.
Our popular Stone Wall Workshop has been held every year since 2003 and frequently sells out. Workshops are usually offered in spring & fall, and will be listed in the What’s On section above.
Youth Programs Youth Programs are available for all ages. If you are an educator interested in bringing your group to Prescott Farm, see our Educator Resources page for more details.
Guided tours can be tailored to meet your group’s needs and interests, but might include an exploration of the site’s ties to the Revolutionary War, historic and contemporary horticultural practices, or aspects of daily life in rural New England.
Group tours Available year round. For the best experience, we recommend weekdays, May to October.
Visit our Group Tours page for more information on program offerings and rates.
2009 West Main Road Middletown, RI 401–846–4152 ext. 123 visit@newportrestoration.org,
The grounds are free and open to the public daily dawn to dusk.
Prescott Farm’s landscape is typical of rural Aquidneck Island in the 18th and 19th centuries, with gentle sloping land, good soil, fields lined with stonewalls, and areas of scrub trees and brush.
Doris Duke, purchased the 40–acre farm in 1969 with the intent of preserving historic open space and creating a space for additional historic buildings rescued from imminent demolition.
This site has a history intimately tied to the American Revolution. General Prescott, commander of the British occupying force, was captured from his headquarters here at the Nichols-Overing House.
Today, the gardens at Prescott Farm are tended by a dedicated team of Master Gardeners who give generously of their hard work and expertise.
The produce harvested from the gardens is donated to Lucy’s Hearth, a local women's shelter. We donated over 760 pounds of food in 2017.
