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 late March to November.
Experience the only museum in the world specializing in 18th-century Newport furniture and related decorative arts. Open late May to October.
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.
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413 Thames Street
The Clarke Burdick House was built on its original site c. 1835. A two-story, gable-roof house, it draws heavily on the Greek Revival style for both its exterior and interior architectural detail. It was purchased by the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) in 1969 and restored in 1973-74.
The Greek Revival period is just outside the timeframe of the NRF's concentration. However, with the Samuel Whitehorne House across the street slated by Miss Duke to become a museum, the Clarke Burdick House and the Joseph Record House (415 Thames Street) were acquired in the interest of supporting the Whitehorne property.
Greek Revival architecture flourished between 1820 and 1860. It drew key stylistic elements from classic Greek architecture, particularly the temple form. This broke from Georgian and Federal styles that drew inspiration, proportion, and details from Roman designs. The Greek Revival elements clearly represented by the Burdick House include the end-to-the-street orientation (presenting the temple shape as a first impression) and bold corner trim that seeks to resemble columns, as well as a more shallow angled roof than found in previous styles.
The doorway is also a good example of Greek Revival style, with sidelights at the side, as well as over the door itself. The mullions in sidelights often took on Greek geometric patterns during this particular building period, although the ones on this house are quite simple. While the house is an example of local Greek Revival architecture executed with some significant degree of design care, it does not compare to those built with grander aspirations of high style Greek Revival design
Photo of the house before restoration.