Newport Restoration Foundation

What Newport Restoration Foundation does

Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is a Rhode Island-based nonprofit founded by philanthropist Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve colonial-era architecture on Aquidneck Island. It owns and maintains a portfolio of more than 70 — and by some counts more than 100 — 18th and early 19th-century buildings concentrated in Newport's Historic Hill and The Point neighborhoods, operating two public museums (Rough Point, the former Doris Duke estate opened to the public in 2000; and the circa 1708/1760 Vernon House acquired in 2009) alongside a long-term Tenant Stewardship Program that rents restored historic homes to resident caretakers.

Revenue is generated across five streams: museum admissions (Rough Point tiered at $25 general, $12.50 students, free for Newport County residents and children under 13, $5 for EBT/WIC cardholders; Vernon House operates free during a seasonal window); tenant rental income on portfolio properties at fair-market rates; donations and corporate sponsorships underwriting the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards; an NRF e-commerce store; and earned revenue from guided group tours, private behind-the-scenes experiences, and a year-round event calendar spanning garden workshops, walking tours, needlepoint nights, storytimes, and screenings. The Doris Duke Foundation is the flagship financial sponsor. Distribution is primarily direct/regional, with a national voice through the registered Keeping History Above Water® climate-heritage initiative (founded 2016) and an e-commerce store shipping globally.

NRF's operating platform rests on an in-house preservation crew — mill carpenters, field carpenters, painters, and millworkers equipped with 487 custom knives for decorative-molding restoration — supplemented by the Historic Trades Initiative (workforce development via the 2022-launched Preservation Trades Specialist Training Program), a digital archives and collections database, and an Encurate-powered mobile guide app. Sub-brand partnerships include Salve Regina University, IYRS School of Technology & Trades, Preservation Maryland's Campaign for Historic Trades, Historic New England, Roger Williams University, and the City of Newport. In March 2026, Hilary Fagan was appointed Executive Director following a national search, joining President Franklin Vagnone (appointed 2022) on the leadership team.

Name

Newport Restoration Foundation

Legal name

Newport Restoration Foundation

Website

https://newportrestoration.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Newport Restoration Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves, restores, and rents more than 70 colonial-era buildings in Newport, Rhode Island, operating Rough Point Museum, Vernon House, and preservation-trades training programs for visitors, tenants, and the regional community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation and Heritage Museum Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (71212)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Historic building preservation
• Historic house museum operations
• Preservation trades training
• Colonial architecture conservation
• Heritage property stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Ticket sales for Rough Point Museum and Vernon House admission, with tiered pricing for general public, students, and free admission for Newport County residents and children 12 and under
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through online giving portal, annual fundraising events including the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards as a major fundraiser, and corporate sponsorships at various levels (Leadership, Platinum, Gold, Bronze)
3. Tenant Rental Income: Historic preservation properties rented to tenant stewards who provide active day-to-day care for properties. Rents based on fair market rental values with homes ranging from one to six bedrooms
4. Retail Store: NRF Store selling items inspired by preservation properties, unique collection items, Doris Duke legacy merchandise, and items related to NRF exhibitions and programming
5. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards at various levels with perks including event tickets, VIP access, and special recognition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NRF preserves and restores Newport's 18th and early 19th century architectural heritage through ownership of 100+ historic buildings, operation of two museums (Rough Point and Vernon House), workforce training via the Historic Trades Initiative, climate resilience programming through Keeping History Above Water, tenant stewardship rentals of historic properties, retail merchandise sales, and educational tours and community events. The foundation's primary outputs are preservation services, museum experiences, training programs, and heritage tourism.

Product overview

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is a nonprofit historic preservation organization offering access to historic properties and museums rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include Rough Point Museum (Doris Duke's Newport home), Vernon House (a 1708/1760 colonial building), and a portfolio of over 100 Preservation Properties leased to tenant stewards. These are supported by public programming including Newport Galleries of Art, Design & Craft exhibitions, the Newport Preservation Center (research), Telling Stories initiative (intangible heritage documentation), and the Historic Trades Initiative (workforce development). The Keeping History Above Water program addresses climate resilience for coastal heritage. NRF also operates the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards and provides in-house preservation crew services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Keeping History Above Water: A global initiative founded in 2016 focused on addressing sea-level rise and climate change impacts on historic coastal communities
• Historic Trades Initiative
• Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards

Products and services

• Rough Point Museum Historic house museum that was the Newport home of heiress, collector, and philanthropist Doris Duke (1912-1993), open for self-guided and guided tours featuring her collections of art and fashion, an Olmsted-legacy landscape with ocean views, and rotating exhibitions including the Fashion Gallery.
• Vernon House Historic building (circa 1708 and 1760) that is one of the most historically significant buildings in Newport, Rhode Island, now hosting contemporary storytelling, community engagement, and preservation learning lab programming, with free admission during seasonal opening.
• Preservation Properties Rental Program Portfolio of over 100 18th and 19th-century buildings in Newport and Aquidneck Island, rented to tenant stewards who actively maintain the historic homes as their primary residences. Homes range from one to six bedrooms in size at fair market rental values.
• Newport Galleries of Art, Design & Craft Exhibition program featuring 18th-century Newport furniture and decorative arts, contemporary interpretations, and connections to global trade and cultural exchange during the colonial period.
• Newport Preservation Center Research center and exhibition space at Rough Point that documents the city's preservation efforts and their national context, with focus on community engagement in preservation, archival research, and publication of preservation resources.
• Keeping History Above Water Initiative addressing sea-level rise impacts on historic coastal communities through conferences, workshops, and resources for protecting cultural heritage, with global reach and 10th anniversary milestone reached in 2026.
• Historic Trades Initiative Workforce development program providing training for the next generation of preservation tradespeople through apprenticeship programs, career pathways, and the Preservation Trades Specialist Training Program, with partnerships including IYRS School of Technology & Trades, Salve Regina University, Roger Williams University, Historic New England, and Preservation Maryland.
• Telling Stories: Dispersed Monument Initiative researching and documenting narratives of residents who lived in NRF historic properties, with focus on underrepresented histories, developing public programming including the A Matter of Truth-Newport exhibition at Vernon House, digital archives, and community storytelling events.
• Preservation Crew Services In-house crew of carpenters, millworkers, and painters providing preservation, restoration, and cyclical maintenance for historic properties utilizing traditional techniques and specialized tooling, including 487 custom knives for decorative molding matching, window/door restoration, and decorative panel/mantle work.
• NRF Store E-commerce retail store selling items inspired by preservation properties, unique collection items, Doris Duke legacy merchandise, and items related to NRF exhibitions and programming, distributed globally through online storefront.
• Group & Private Guided Tours 60-minute guided tours introducing Doris Duke's legacy through Rough Point, including the Fashion Gallery and Newport Galleries, with private behind-the-scenes experiences available for customized group experiences and special add-ons for garden tours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Restored more than 100 18th and early 19th century buildings on Aquidneck Island since 1968
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of NewportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2026Collaboration between NRF and City of Newport for the annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards, which recognize exemplary preservation projects across Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth. Awards juried by representatives from both organizations.
• The Preservation Society of Newport CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint tour partnership for Preservation & Resiliency Tour of the Point, exploring historic Easton's Point neighborhood and how it is adapting to sea level rise and flooding events. Collaborates on preservation in one of the country's most intact Revolutionary-era communities.
• Trinity ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Semicentennial on the Square celebrating Queen Anne Square's 50th anniversary, with panel discussion featuring historians, scholars, and preservation leaders.
• Salve Regina UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for Historic Trades Initiative with Preservation Department collaboration. NRF offers university field internships for students in preservation or related fields. University involved as award recipient for Vinland Ironwork restoration and Ochre Court Cignaroli Ceiling Painting restoration.
• Discover NewportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold-level sponsor of Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards and regional tourism partner promoting Newport as a destination.
• Kirby Perkins ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold-level sponsor of Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards. Partner in Historic Trades Initiative with program and curriculum development contributions. Award recipient for Midcliff exterior restoration.
• IYRS School of Technology & TradescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity stakeholder partner in Historic Trades Initiative providing opportunities for new and experienced craftspeople to expand skills and gain expertise in historic trades.
• Roger Williams UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in Historic Trades Initiative offering connections to Preservation, Architecture, and Construction Management programs.
• Campaign for Historic Trades (Preservation Maryland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational campaign partner working to ensure continuation of unique and critical skills needed for historic preservation. Part of Historic Trades Initiative network.
• National Preservation Partners NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Education Initiative committee, supporting workforce development in preservation trades at national level.
• Preservation Trades NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Education Initiative supporting the preservation trades network and professional development.
• Historic New EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric preservation organization partner for Historic Trades Initiative. Award recipient for Watson Farm preservation efforts in Jamestown.
• Providence Preservation SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal preservation organization partner in Historic Trades Initiative network supporting preservation trades workforce development.
• Student Conservation AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Historic Preservation Corps opportunities for young adults as part of workforce development in historic trades.
• Newport Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for career awareness presentations about preservation trades careers. NRF visits Rogers High School annually to speak with carpentry students.
• Newport Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for French in Newport community day celebrating Franco-American alliance during the American Revolution. Organizing and planning this annual community event at Vernon House and throughout the city.
• Charter BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity book partner for Storytime at Rough Point events, including sessions led by authors and illustrators of children's books about nature.
• Blackburn Building ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram and curriculum development contributor to Historic Trades Initiative, providing expertise in building conservation techniques.
• Crocker ArchitecturalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram contributor for Historic Trades Initiative providing architectural expertise for curriculum development.
• Gnazzo MasonryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasonry specialty contributor to Historic Trades Initiative curriculum, supporting preservation trades training programs.
• Kirby ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner contributing to Historic Trades Initiative curriculum and program development.
• Rockwood JoineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoinery specialty contributor to Historic Trades Initiative providing hands-on training expertise in historic woodworking techniques.
• Rhode Island Black Heritage SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Juneteenth programming and exhibition opening of A Matter of Truth-Newport at Vernon House, celebrating Black freedom and honoring African heritage and Indigenous peoples in Rhode Island history.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Historic New England: Regional preservation nonprofit operating a portfolio of historic house museums across New England, partner in NRF's Historic Trades Initiative, and an award recipient of the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards (Watson Farm).
• Historic Charleston Foundation: South Carolina nonprofit that preserves a portfolio of historic houses, runs preservation advocacy and education programs, and operates museum tours — closely analogous in mission and stewardship model to NRF.
• Preservation Virginia: Statewide preservation nonprofit that owns and operates multiple historic house museums and archaeological sites, with comparable mixed model of museum admissions, tenant stewardship, and preservation advocacy.
• The Preservation Society of Newport County: Largest direct peer; also a Newport-based nonprofit preserving and opening historic house museums (Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff) to the public, and co-hosting NRF's Preservation & Resiliency Tour of the Point.
• Mount Vernon Ladies' Association: Private nonprofit operating a single high-profile historic house museum (George Washington's estate) with collections, gardens, and educational programming — direct analogue to NRF's Rough Point Museum model.
• Nantucket Historical Association: Nonprofit operating multiple historic house museums, research archives, and preservation properties on Nantucket — same multi-property historic-preservation mission and visitor/exhibition model as NRF.

Broad incumbents

• Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: Major decorative-arts house museum and research library with collections-based programming comparable to NRF's Newport Galleries of Art, Design & Craft exhibition program.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts nonprofit that owns and stewards 120+ historic houses, landscapes, and natural areas open to the public — comparable scale, multi-site preservation model, and mixed revenue base.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Largest U.S. historic-preservation umbrella organization; operates some of its own historic sites and runs preservation awards, national advocacy, and grants. NRF is a downstream operator within the broader ecosystem National Trust leads.

Others

• Campaign for Historic Trades (Preservation Maryland): National advocacy campaign focused on preservation trades workforce, a core strategic partner in NRF's Historic Trades Initiative — adjacent enabler rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/newportrestorationfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/NPTRestoration
• Instagraminstagram.com/nptrestoration
• Xx.com/NPTRestoration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Newport Restoration Foundation