Preservation Society of Newport County facts for kids
Preservation Society Headquarters, Osgood-Pell House
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| Founded | 1945 |
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| Founder | Katherine Warren |
| Type | non-profit |
| Purpose | Preserve a collection of historic house museums in Newport County |
| Headquarters | Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island |
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Region served
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Newport County, Rhode Island |
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CEO & Executive Director
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Trudy Coxe |
The Preservation Society of Newport County is a special group in Newport, Rhode Island. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money for owners. Instead, any money it earns goes back into its work. It's the biggest and most visited cultural group in Rhode Island!
This group works hard to protect the amazing old buildings and places in Newport County. They especially focus on the Bellevue Avenue Historic District, which is famous for its beautiful mansions. Many of the 14 historic places they look after are so important that they are called National Historic Landmarks. Most of these places are open for people like you to visit and explore!
The Preservation Society has also spoken up about offshore wind farms in Rhode Island. They believe these wind farms might block the beautiful views and affect the historic areas. They want to make sure that new projects don't harm the special look and feel of Newport's history.
Contents
How the Society Started
Saving History in Newport
The Preservation Society of Newport County began in 1945. A group of people living in Newport, led by Katherine and George Warren, started it. Their first big goal was to save Hunter House from being torn down.
At first, they were called the Georgian Society. But soon after, they changed their name to the Preservation Society of Newport County. This new name better showed their mission to protect all kinds of historic places in the area.
A Special Gift
Later, in 1978, a very generous gift helped the society even more. Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt, who was married to Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, left $1.25 million to the society when she passed away. This large gift helped the society continue its important work of preserving Newport's heritage.
Amazing Places You Can Visit
The Preservation Society of Newport County takes care of many incredible historic properties. Here are some of the famous ones you can explore:
* Arnold Burying Ground: This is a very old cemetery, started way back in 1675. It's a quiet place that tells stories of Newport's early days.
* The Breakers: Built in 1895, this huge mansion is designed in the Neo Italian Renaissance style. It was created by the famous architect Richard Morris Hunt and is the largest of all the society's mansions.
* Chateau-sur-Mer: This mansion was first built in 1852 and then remodeled in the 1870s. It shows off different styles and was worked on by architects like Seth C. Bradford and Richard Morris Hunt.
* Chepstow: Built in 1860, Chepstow is an example of Italianate architecture. It was designed by George Champlin Mason Sr..
* The Elms: Finished in 1901, The Elms is a stunning example of Classical Revival style. It was designed by Horace Trumbauer.
* Green Animals Topiary Garden: This unique garden, started around 1860, is famous for its amazing plant sculptures. Gardeners Joseph Carreiro and George Mendonca helped create this Victorian-style wonder.
* Hunter House: Built between 1748 and 1754, this Georgian-style house was the first property the society saved from being torn down.
* Isaac Bell House: This house, built in 1883, is a great example of the Shingle style of architecture. It was designed by the well-known firm McKim, Mead and White.
* Kingscote: Originally built in 1839, Kingscote was remodeled in the 1870s and 1880s. It features Gothic Revival architecture and had work done by Richard Upjohn and McKim, Mead and White.
* Marble House: Completed in 1892, Marble House is a magnificent example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It was designed by Richard Morris Hunt.
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* Rosecliff: Built in 1902, Rosecliff shows off the French Baroque Revival style. It was designed by McKim, Mead & White.
Former Properties
The Preservation Society has also helped to restore and protect other important buildings that are now privately owned:
* Malbone Castle: This castle, built in 1849, was given to the society in 1978. It's a Gothic Revival style building, but it was later sold and is now a private home.
* White Horse Tavern: This tavern was built between 1652 and 1673, making it one of the oldest in the country. The society helped restore it in 1952, and it's now a working tavern that people can visit.
See also
- Antoinette Downing
- Katherine Urquhart Warren
