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.
Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The property is experienced today largely as it was lived in during the lifetime of its most famous owner, the heiress, philanthropist, and preservationist Doris Duke.
NRF is bringing jazz back to Rough Point for a special virtual event: “Jazz in the House – Featuring Mike Renzi Trio, and vocals by Nicolas King.”
Join us on YouTube as we explore the Rough Point collection, listen to stories about special objects, and meet the women collectors whose tastes and collectors’ eyes paralleled Doris Duke’s own passion for collecting.
Museum Hours
Rough Point Museum and grounds are now open for the season until November 15.
Please be aware timed tickets MUST be reserved online prior to your visit, and all visitors are required to comply with all COVID-19 safety protocols. Also, please note the museum is closed daily for cleaning between 12pm-1pm.
Click here more information on tickets and guidelines.
Grounds Schedule
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, last admission at 3:30 pm, closed for cleaning between 12pm-1pm.
House Schedule
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, last admission at 3:00 pm, closed for cleaning between 12pm-1pm.
Grounds Pass All visitors: $5
Museum Tickets (beginning July 7) Adults: $20.00 Students with ID: $10.00 Children 12 & under: Free
Active military members receive free admission with ID, and active members from Aquidneck Island can extend their free admission to up to 4 family members through Labor Day.
Grounds & Gardens access included in museum admission.
Combine Your Ticket Purchase a combined ticket to both Whitehorne House Museum* and Rough Point Museum for only $25! *Whitehorne House Museum is temporarily closed – opening date to be determined.
Please be aware timed tickets MUST be purchased online prior to your visit, and all visitors are required to comply with all COVID-19 safety protocols. Also, please note the museum is closed for cleaning between 12pm-1pm.
We are open online! We invite you to explore the remarkable mansion of an unconventional heiress from home. Please follow our Facebook, Instagram or YouTube pages for the latest updates on opening, upcoming Rough Point From Home programs, and more.
Visit our online museum store!
The products of the Newport Restoration Foundation Store celebrate the life and passions of our founder, Doris Duke. We invite you to explore our curated collections—including unique, one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by our museums’ design, collections, and stories— exclusively available here.
Click here to start shopping from home or visit shopnewportrestoration.org.
680 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 401–847–8344 visit@newportrestoration.org
Parking is available at the property. The estate is fully air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.
Silk Velvet Jacket by Balenciaga
Series of Scipio tapestries
Near Reef of Norman’s Woe by Lane
Study for Decorative panel with two hounds by Oudry
Embroidered panel with the story of Esther
Tapestry with proclamation scene
Roman general Scipio Africanus (larger figure in gold armor at the left) was a favorite example of mercy in warfare in Renaissance and Baroque art. During the siege of New Carthage, Scipio returned a beautiful female prisoner (possibly the figure seated at right) to her fiance. For this generous act he received a ransom (the gold vessels and armor shown here at the left), which he returned to the couple as a wedding present. In return, the families of the couple pledged their allegiance to Rome. There are three other tapestries in the Stair Hall from this set, which Doris Duke bought in 1958 for Rough Point.
Two paintings by French artist Oudry hang on the second floor landing at Rough Point are preparatory sketches for paintings commissioned by Samuel Jacques Bernard, the comte de Coubert (1686-1753), for the dining room of his grand hôtel on the rue du Bac in Paris, built between 1740 and 1742. The full-scale paintings were removed in 1887 when the hôtel was dismantled and its decorations sold. They are now in the Museés des arts décoratifs, Strasbourg.
One of a pair of early sixteenth-century Flemish tapestries purchased for Rough Point in 1923. When Doris Duke closed and emptied the house of its contents in 1954, these tapestries went to Duke University where they were hung for display in the main Library. They were returned to Rough Point in 1957 and since then have hung at either end of the dining table, which Doris Duke positioned to take full advantage of the ocean views from the eastern facing windows.
