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, — Throughout the country, efforts are being made to promote pollination by native bees and other flying insects, and on July 1 at 11:00 am, the URI Master Gardeners, who help maintain Prescott Farm in Middletown, Rhode Island, will be doing their part to encourage other local gardeners and community members to join the cause.
Back by popular demand, the URI Master Gardeners, have invited State Wildlife Biologist, Gary Casabona, to return to Prescott Farm to give a talk and walking tour of the historic property from the perspective of a biologist. Casabona works for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is a leading expert on the subject of pollination and has made several appearances throughout New England promoting the benefits that native pollinators provide.
In his talk and walking tour, “Enhancing Habitat for Pollinators and Wildlife in Your Yard”, Casabona will inform gardeners about how to best select plants that provide forage (pollen and nectar) and nesting sites for native pollinators like bees, monarch butterflies, and even other wildlife species like migratory birds. He will give tips on site preparation and seeding practices for native wildflowers, as well as how to maintain established pollinator habitats. Casabona will also be able to provide an overview of a new NRCS initiative to benefit native turtle species in Rhode Island.
There are an estimated 4,000 species of native bees in the country, and Casabona says some 400 species have been identified in Rhode Island alone. Native bees, which tend to be solitary (as opposed to imported honey bees which are social and live in hives) are nevertheless important to gardeners and food growers. It is estimated that without pollinators, 50 percent of the food people eat would disappear from grocery stores. The problem is human development practices have greatly reduced the habitat for native bees.
Casabona has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Virginia Tech. He worked for NRCS for 14 years in New Jersey before moving to Rhode Island in 2011. His current work involves habitat projects for New England cottontail, native pollinators, shrub land nesting birds, wetland restoration, fish passage and oyster restoration.
This special event is free to the public as part of a seasonal program held at Prescott Farm, “Gardening with the Masters”. Every Sunday, volunteers of the URI Master Gardeners work at the gardens of Prescott Farm from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Every first Sunday of the month the Master Gardeners share their areas of expertise through a special lecture series, with topics varying each session. Special lectures begin at 11:00 am.
Prescott Farm is located at 2009 West Main Road, Middletown, RI. For more information on this program, visit www.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.