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.
Visit Doris Duke’s art-filled mansion and enjoy panoramic ocean views from the extensive grounds. Open late March to November.
The Vernon House is a site for expansive story-telling, contemporary dialogue, and preservation trades skill-building. Opening July 1, 2023: NRF and Art&Newport are excited to present a group artists exhibition on cards and card playing: Games, Gamblers & Cartomancers: The New Cardsharps
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.
Newport, RI – Newport Restoration Foundation celebrates the fall season with programs that include taking guests behind-the-scenes at our museums, bringing the community together at Prescott Farm, and discussing sea-level rise with our Newport and Nantucket neighbors. Please mark your calendars for upcoming special events including:
Second Sundays September 8 & October 13 / 12:00 – 3:00 pm / FREE / Prescott Farm
Each month, NRF partners with a local organization to explore different topics related to Prescott Farm in the past and present. Explore the nature trails with our guest guides, chat up URI’s Master Gardeners, or climb inside the historic windmill – themes, guests, and activities change monthly!
September: Aquidneck Community Table hosts a pop-up farmers market
October: Aquidneck Stone Wall Initiative shares the lasting importance of stone walls on the island
Behind the Design–A Craftsman’s Tour of Newport Furniture September 12 / 5:00 – 7:00 pm / $25 / Whitehorne House Museum
Join furniture maker Timothy Philbrick on a special tour of the Whitehorne House Museum’s exceptional collection of 18th-century, Newport Furniture. Mr. Philbrick will share his professional and artistic insights into the construction and design of these beautiful works of American Craftsmanship. Doors open at 5 pm, the tour will begin at 5:15 followed by time for Q&A. For more information on Mr. Philbrick please visit his website at www.timothyphilbrick.com.
Tackling Sea Level Rise through Digital Technology: Lessons Learned from the Resilient Nantucket Model September 18 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / Free / Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport, RI
Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport’s Historic Preservation Department are pleased to co-host a lecture given by Morris (Marty) Hylton III, Director of the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Florida and Preservation Institute Nantucket. Hylton will share his one-of-a-kind 3D visualization of sea level rise in Nantucket and discuss how this work has contributed to a larger town-wide initiative to address the impacts of climate change on the community’s historic resources. The presentation promises to be thought-provoking and shed light on how small coastal communities can begin planning for climate change. The event is being offered free of charge. Space is limited, so please register by Tuesday, September 17 at noon. Visit newportrestoration.org/events for more information.
Closet Tour: Fantastic Plastics September 19 / 5:00 – 7:00 pm / $15 / Rough Point Museum
Peek inside Doris Duke’s closet and the Rough Point costume collection. This expert-led experience will focus on pieces from the collection made from synthetic materials and all of the challenges historic plastics present to modern-day curators. Come see for yourself if Doris’ go-go boots and scuba suits have withstood the test of time.
Ask a Gardener September 28 & October 26 / 11:00 – 11:30 am / Rough Point Museum Free with house or grounds admission.
Tour the Rough Point grounds in the company of experts – once a month our estate gardeners share their expertise on a range of topics from plant identification to organic garden care. Get insider tips about how the Rough Point staff keeps the grounds looking lush and how to incorporate those practices in your own home garden. This program takes place outside and is weather dependent. Tours meet at the camels.
Newport Schools Night October 24 / 5:00 – 7:00 pm / Rough Point Museum & Whitehorne House Museum This event is free for Newport County students and their accompanying adults.
We invite all Newport County K-12 educators, students, and accompanying adults to Rough Point Museum and Whitehorne House Museum for a free night of fall fun and exploration. This is a special opportunity for students and families to experience NRF museums before the end of the season. There will be hands-on activities, inside and outside, to inspire and encourage learning beyond the classroom. All ages are welcome.
For information on all events, visit newportrestoration.org/events.
About the Newport Restoration Foundation
The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is a non-profit organization established by philanthropist Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of 18th and 19th century Newport. NRF promotes economic and community restoration through historic preservation initiatives like Keeping History Above Water, which addresses the impact of sea-level rise on the built environment in the wake of climate change, and the Historic Trades Initiative, which harnesses the knowledge of local specialists to train the next generation of preservation craftspeople. In addition to a collection of more than 70 colonial houses, now rented to tenant stewards, NRF operates properties that are open to the public —including Rough Point, the Newport home of Doris Duke, and The Vernon House, a site of expansive storytelling, contemporary dialogue, and preservation trades skill-building. NRF is on Facebook /NPTRestoration and Instagram @NPTRestoration. Visit newportrestoration.org for more information.
