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 Foundations 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 making a contribution to our Annual Fund today.
The only museum in the world specializing in 18th-century Newport furniture and related decorative arts, NRF’s Whitehorne House Museum has been open to the public since 1974.
The museum is currently closed while we plan for a renovation of the building, a new presentation of the collection, and a much improved visitor experience. Watch this space for updates and announcements of opportunities to visit while the revitalization work progresses. And, of course, we are always open online and invite you to explore the museum by using the links above.
Explore the museum for the first time or come back check out the changes we're making. The museum’s charming pocket garden will also be open for wandering.
One of the highlights of Whitehorne House Museum is its beautiful garden. This inviting space is filled with antique roses, blueberry bushes and fruit trees, and a dazzling array of perennials and annuals. The design is an interpretation of a Federal period garden for an affluent, urban family. Despite its refined geometry, it does not feel overly formal. From the precious balloon flower to the flamboyant castor plant, this is a garden full of delights.
Open Hours Even though the museum is currently closed, the garden is open during daytime hours for the enjoyment of visitors.
For the 2018 season, Whitehorne House Museum is open to the public for occasional open house events (see above), private group tours, and individual appointments.
Group Tours For groups larger than 10 visitors, please visit our Group Tours page.
416 Thames Street Newport, RI 401–846–4152 ext. 123 visit@newportrestoration.org
Limited metered parking available.
Dining table by John Townsend
Portrait of Rebecca Taylor Orne by Joseph Badger
Pier table by John Goddard
19th-century watercolor showing John Goddard’s house and workshop
Caleb Wheaton tall case clock
Benjamin Baker Highboy
The Whitehorne House Museum’s oval dining table is one of only two known labeled dining tables made by John Townsend. This dining table is an example of the type of architectural furnishings considered to be necessary in 18th-century dining spaces. This graceful neo-classical oval table retains the functionality of its predecessors as it can separate into a table and two consoles for alternate uses or storage. The plinths above each leg are decorated with four undulating vertical blocks or “book inlay,” a feature associated with the workshop of John Townsend. On the legs is a string of five bellflowers centering a spine of black inlay, and, characteristic of John Townsend’s work, the bellflowers rest above two inlaid dots. Pasted on the center of one of the back rails of one of the consoles is a rectangular engraved label reading MADE BY / JOHN TOWNSEND, / NEWPORT. with the date 1796 written by hand.
Watercolor painting depicting John Goddard's house in the Easton's Point neighborhood of Newport, RI. The composition includes two houses and dock scene with beach. Written in pencil script, bottom right corner: Old Newport houses, 1865. In bottom left corner, in pencil: S.C.
This tall clock case is the work of eminent Providence clock manufacturer Caleb Wheaton. Tall clock cases like this example were prized possessions of mid-eighteenth century American families. The bonnet of the case has a molded curved cresting that supports three fluted urn and flame finials. The bonnet is supported by two full and two half fluted pillars and the white painted dial is decorated with urn and scroll spandrels. The dial also includes the hour and second hands as well as a date register and the maker's name "Caleb Wheaton Providence". The door block and carved at top with a projecting carved shell, the plain base supported on ogee bracket feet.
Benjamin Baker was active as a very prolific chair maker in Newport from 1760, and is also known to have made clock cases, tables and case furniture that was produced primarily for export to the coastal trade. Among the many Newport characteristics found on the highboy is the use of cabriole legs with pad feet on the rear in combination with open-talon claw and ball front legs -- a Newport practice for furniture intended to stand against the wall. Another Newport trait is the elongated ball and claw foot with webless talons having an extended grip over the ball, which in this case are undercut. Of special interest is the intaglio carved petal and leaf motif decorating the knees, a feature frequently found on Newport highboys and tea tables. A focal point is the beautifully carved shell motif, also a favorite decorative device of the high style Newport cabinetmakers. Here it is further decorated at the center with a fleur-de-lys. The most unusual feature of the Whitehorne House Museum’s high chest are the three drawers in the top row of the upper case.
