Newport Restoration Foundation

In 1968, Doris Duke established the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) with the express purpose of preserving, interpreting, and maintaining landscape and objects reflecting the 18th- and 19th- century architectural culture of Aquidneck Island (Newport, R.I.). In creating the foundation, Doris Duke had a simple plan: to purchase dilapidated 18th century homes and meticulously restore them so that every detail was as historically accurate as possible. During the next three decades, preservation remained a major focus among her many charitable endeavors. Saving eighty-three properties was an undertaking on a scale and scope that has never been repeated. Doris Duke gave $21.9 million to the Newport Restoration Foundation, the largest philanthropic gift she made to a single organization during her lifetime.

From the description of Newport Restoration Foundation records, 1968-1999 (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 671495127

In the 1950s, Doris Duke once again became a frequent visitor to Newport, R.I. A growing awareness and concern for the state of Newport’s historic architecture led her to establish the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) in 1968. The non-profit institution was formed with the express purpose of preserving, interpreting, and maintaining landscape and objects reflecting the 18th- and 19th- century architectural culture of Aquidneck Island (Newport, R.I.). In creating the foundation, Doris Duke had a simple plan: to purchase dilapidated 18th century homes and meticulously restore them so that every detail was as historically accurate as possible. After the houses were restored, the NRF maintained the houses and rented them as private living spaces. This model of "living preservation" was groundbreaking in the field of historic preservation. During the next three decades, preservation remained a major focus among her many charitable endeavors. Saving eighty-three properties was an undertaking on a scale and scope that has never been repeated. Doris Duke gave $21.9 million to the Newport Restoration Foundation, the largest philanthropic gift she made to a single organization during her lifetime.

From the guide to the Newport Restoration Foundation records, 1968-1999 (bulk 1968-1982), (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)