Who's Who - Preserving Newport, RI

Newport has so much history, art, architecture and natural beauty to preserve and we’re fortunate to have a host of strong organizations doing just that.

So often though, we hear visitors, and sometimes residents, referring to one organization when they mean another. Their names are somewhat similar and can be easily confused. Then again, maybe people don’t realize that these are distinct organizations and missions.

So here they are…the top 4…

Historic District Commission -

How many times have you spoken to someone looking at a house in Newport and they say “what will the historic society say if we want to renovate this?” They won’t say anything, but the Historic District Commission might. The City of Newport’s Historic District Commission’s goal is to preserve the historic buildings and other significant resources that define and reflect elements of the City's history, within designate historic districts which cover approximately 40% of the city. A homeowner in a city historic district must apply for a “certificate of appropriateness” to be issued for any exterior alterations. We owe much of the integrity of our historic neighborhood to this City commission.

The Newport Historical Society -

The Newport Historical Society is a private non-profit whose mission is to collect and preserve the artifacts, photographs, and records that relate to the history of Newport County. They make these materials available for research and offer educational programs to the public. The NHS owns several significant properties, including the Colony House (1739), the Great Friends Meeting House (1699) and the Brick Market (1762), which houses the Museum of Newport History. These and others are open to the public and regular tours are offered. Check out their interesting and fun tours and lectures such as a Lantern Tour of Colonial Newport or the Rum and Revolution Tour. And they’re a wonderful resource for researching the history of your Newport house.

The Newport County Preservation Society -

Known as the Preservation Society or simply the Newport mansions, the PS is a private, non-profit and owns 11 historic homes and landscapes, including some of the biggies: The Breakers, The Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms. These magnificently preserved and maintained properties trace America's architectural and social development from the Colonial era through the Gilded Age. Some are open for tours year-round and all are open in the summer, with each highlighting a particular architectural or decorative style and a variety of special collections. And don’t miss the grounds when you see the houses. The views, landscapes, gardens and collections or rare trees rival the houses themselves.

Newport Restoration Foundation -

Often referred to at the Doris Duke Foundation, the Newport Restoration Foundation was founded by Doris Duke 1968 and is a private non-profit. This is an interesting organization because they are one of the city’s largest landlords in addition to owning museum properties. Since its founding, the NRF has restored or preserved 83 buildings. Today, the NRF continues to own a collection of 76 historic buildings, including 71 homes that are rented as private residences and maintained by a full-time crew of carpenters and painters. This is one of the largest collections of period architecture owned by a single organization anywhere in the country. More importantly, the majority of these structures are being lived in and used as they have for more than three centuries, making them a vibrant part of the community. You can also visit their museum properties: Rough Point, Doris Duke’s Newport home and the Whithorne House, featuring a collection of 18th-century furniture.