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.
Newport Restoration Foundation’s Whitehorne House Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to displaying and exploring the artistry, history, and culture of 18th-century Newport furniture and related decorative arts.
Listen to storybook readings in the garden and put together a themed craft to take home.
Steve Brown, experienced woodworker and professor at the North Bennet Street School, leads a woodworking demonstration in the garden at Whitehorne House Museum.
Kids from 10-100 are welcome at this fun embroidery workshop outside of Whitehorne House.
An online discussion on ways in which a group of early 20th century immigrants helped create the American antique business, spurring interest in 18th-century American furniture and other material culture.
An online discussion on finding inspiration and excitement in recreating the forms and styles of 18th-century American furniture.
An online discussion comparing a variety of aesthetic revivals in American life.
An online discussion about the practical realities and challenges of interpreting 18th-century American life.
Whitehorne House Museum is currently closed, opening for the season on Wednesday, May 26 2021. Please check the website for the most up to date information.
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.
Group Tours Visit our Group Tours page.
Museum Hours
Whitehorne House Museum is currently closed for the 2020 season. We anticipate reopening in May 2021. Please check the website for the most up to date information.
House Schedule
Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, last admission at 3:30 pm
Tickets
Adults: $10 Students: $5 Children 12 & under: Free
Newport County, RI residents: Free
Combine Your Ticket Purchase a combined ticket to both Whitehorne House Museum and Rough Point Museum for only $25!
416 Thames Street Newport, RI 401–846–4152 ext. 123 visit@newportrestoration.org
Limited metered parking available.
Caleb Wheaton tall case clock
Portrait of Rebecca Taylor Orne by Joseph Badger
Pier table by John Goddard
19th-century watercolor showing John Goddard’s house and workshop
Carver Chair with braided cornhusk seat
Tea table
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.
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 armchair is one of a group of three that demonstrates a strong Dutch influence on some of the earliest furniture made in Newport, RI. It also speaks to connections, perhaps less well known, with local Native American craft production. Unique to the Whitehorne example is the braided cornhusk seat, possibly woven by local Wampanoag or Narragansett weavers. This is an unusual feature found in other early chairs associated with Little Compton, which remained a fairly isolated agricultural outpost into the twentieth century but had early ties through families such as the Browns, who owned this chair, to nearby Aquidneck Island and the urban centers of Portsmouth and Newport, as well as to local Native American craftsmen. The red paint with gold decoration dates to the Victorian period; it covers a layer of blue paint, date unknown, but also not likely original.
