Preservation Society of Newport County

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island’s largest cultural organization, preserves and protects the best of Newport County’s architectural heritage. Its 11 historic properties and landscapes - seven of which are National Historic Landmarks - form a complete essay of American historical development from the Colonial era through the Gilded Age. In keeping with its mission, the Society strives to offer its members and the public a comprehensive view of each property’s architecture, interiors, landscapes and social history. The Society hosts more than 800,000 visits to its properties annually.

In 2004, the Preservation Society was awarded accreditation by the American Association of Museums, a mark of excellence in the museum community. The Preservation Society is also honored to have ten of its historic properties—The Breakers (1895), Chateau-sur-Mer (1852), Chepstow (1861), The Elms (1901), Green Animals Topiary Garden (c. 1860), Hunter House (1748), Isaac Bell House (1883), Kingscote (1841), Marble House (1892) and Rosecliff (1902)—designated as Official Projects of Save America’s Treasures. The Save America’s Treasures initiative is a public-private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, dedicated to the preservation of our nation’s irreplaceable historic and cultural treasures for future generations.

The Preservation Society was founded in 1945 as a private, non-profit educational organization. Admission charges, membership dues, fundraising events and donations help the Society to carry out its mission of protecting Newport’s heritage for present and future generations. Other sources of income include property rentals for private and corporate events, educational sales and product licensing. Further, its historic properties have served as backdrops for a number of major feature films, advertising and photography shoots.

The Society’s central office is located in a former historic home at 424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. For more information, call (401) 847-1000 or visit www.NewportMansions.org.