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, May 17, 2019 — Bees and insects may seem like a nuisance, but they are more important to your garden than you may know. On Sunday, June 2 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 an important cause: the conservation of declining insect pollinators.
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 Native Plant Walk, Casabona will take fellow gardeners and guests on a tour throughout all areas of the farm discussing topics such as the life history of bumblebees and other native pollinators, and the best herbaceous plant species to provide pollen, nectar and nesting sites. He will give tips on site preparation and seeding practices for native wildflowers, as well as how to maintain established pollinator habitats. Casabona is at the forefront of this area of study, and can touch on recent developments in the field, for instance, how bees can self-medicate!
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 explains pollinators are, “part of the wildlife food web.” Through his talks with the public at Prescott Farm, he is able to explain which plants are invasive and should be removed, and which are best for wildlife to thrive. This is the third year Casabona will return to Prescott Farm for this program. Casabona said, “The farm is very picturesque, but the main reason [to return again] is the size and enthusiasm of the audience that has showed up the last two years. In general, I love visiting Aquidneck Island too!”
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.
The Native Plant Walk will be held Sunday, June 2 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at Prescott Farm, located at 2009 West Main Road, Middletown, RI. Every Sunday, volunteers of the URI Master Gardeners work at the gardens of Prescott Farm. Also, every second Sunday of the month the Master Gardeners share their areas of expertise through regular lectures, with topics varying each session. For more information on this event as well as Second Sundays, 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.