Newport Restoration Foundation
The Newport Restoration Foundation was founded by Doris Duke in 1968 to Newport, Rhode Island to preserve early housing stock including 18th century Colonial homes. It is the largest collection of vernacular architecture in the Northeastern United States. Historic building preservation was threatened by redevelopment. Individual houses were purchased and restored. Homes facing demolition due to road construction were moved. The entire project represents one of the largest preservation efforts undertaken in modern times and is currently run by Executive Director Pieter Roos, who started in 1999.
Properties
The NRF own 88 significant historical properties, 72 of which are rented to tenants. 67 of the historic buildings are in Newport, and 8 buildings are used for museums purposes. Some of the historical properties include Doris Duke's Rough Point which was built in 1891 and then added on to in 1924. Rough Point is a Newport mansion with a collection of European and Asian fine arts with works by Renoir, Sir Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, and Sir Anthony Van Dyke. The property list also includes the Samuel Whitehorne House which was built in 1811, the William Vernon House built in 1708 and added on to in 1759, and the Christopher Townsend House, built in 1728. In addition, the foundation runs Prescott Farm, Buloid-Perry House, King's Arms Tavern, and the The Cotton House.
Recent Projects
The Newport Restoration Foundation has been actively restoring historic buildings, and have done four of those within the last fifteen years. The most recent restoration project was that Dayton-James House from 1757. In addition, the NRF led an effort to create a new park in Queen Anne’s Square by artist and architect Maya Lin, entitled “The Meeting Room”. Also, the NRF engages in preservation advocacy and work with climate change and historic preservation. For example, they are creating the History Above Water Conference in an attempt to protect historic properties from being affected by rising sea levels.
References and external links
Contact
Newport Restoration Foundation 51 Touro Street Newport, RI 02840