There is plenty for guests and visitors to do this weekend!
Cars! Coffee! Seafood! Live Music! Running!
Begin Saturday morning (8-10 am) at The Elms with an amazing CARS & COFFEE event, sponsored by the Audrain Auto Museum and the Preservation Society of Newport County.
At 11 am, head over to the harbor for the 29th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival. The festival opens from 11 am until 6 pm on Saturday, October 19th at Bowen’s Wharf. It continues through Sunday, October 20th from 11 am until 5 pm. It has been named one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast,” by Coastal Living Magazine and there is free admission to this fun family-friendly event. The two-day festival features fresh, local seafood. Fish tacos, lobster rolls, fried calamari, oysters, signature cocktails and cold Whaler’s Brewing beer accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. Other neighboring restaurants and fisherman’s associations serve up their most celebrated seafood dishes (lobster dinners, clam chowder, stuffed quahogs, clam cakes, shrimp, scallops, raw oysters and clams, as well as a few dishes for landlubbers and kids). More information below and at 401/849-2243; info@bowenswharf.com
Sunday morning, 7:15 am, it’s all hands on-deck for the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run. The bridge is celebrating its 50th anniversary of its June 1969 opening. This once-a-year fun event brings together runners and walkers from around the country. More information and registration at www.pellbridgerun.com.
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REMIND YOUR GUESTS ABOUT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
▪ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 — UNCOMMON WOMEN OF THE COMMON BURYING GROUND Walking Tour – 11 AM
▪ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 — RETURN TO CAMELOT – ST. MARY’S CHURCH – 2:00 PM
▪ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 – THE PLAZA: THE SECRET LIFE OF AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS HOTEL – ROSECLIFF – 6PM
▪ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 – JOHN J. SLOCUM MEMORIAL LECTURE – SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY – 6:00 PM
▪ FORTRESS OF NIGHTMARES AT FORT ADAMS – OCTOBER 25 & 26 – 7:00- 10:00 PM
Tickets, fees, and addresses are detailed in the following listings for the above events.
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OPERATING SCHEDULES REMINDER
▪ This is the first week of the rest of the year when several of the Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC) properties are closed for the season, including Green Animals Topiary Garden, Chepstow, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, and Kingscote. They will re-open between March and mid-May for the 2020 season. Exact dates TBA. The other PSNC properties – The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, and Chateau-sur-Mer — will be open daily through November 22nd.
▪ Rosecliff will be closed November 4 – December 7.
▪ Chateau-sur-Mer closes for the season on November 22nd.
TOUR GUIDES TIP OF THE WEEK: BE SENSITIVE TO SPECIAL NEEDS
Unlike any time in the past, more people are traveling and visiting us who have physical disabilities. We are seeing greater numbers of people, particularly the elderly, arriving at our museums, mansions, and other attractions using wheelchairs, canes, walkers, and other mobility devices. New technology and stronger materials have allowed so many of our elderly to have hips and knees replaced and receive a new lease on a more active life. At the same time, portable oxygen machines and lighter speedier wheeled devices have restored their options for mobility and travel all over the globe. I marvel at their perseverance and continuing desire to travel despite their physical limitations. And I also admire the willingness and patience of the spouses, children and caregivers who accompany these folks on their travel and tours via planes, cruise ships, tour buses, and automobiles. So many of them are unheralded saints.
Our role as tour guides, ticket sellers, and caretakers of our wonderful historic homes and attractions is to be aware and be sensitive to our guests with physical disabilities and their companions as they arrive and tour our venues. We must be particularly aware and alert in this autumn/winter season as travel and mobility may be further impaired with the rain, sleet, and snow we will be experiencing. Being more patient, more hospitable, and more careful with the needs of these guests will go a long way to ensuring that each one has a memorable and safe visit with us.
NOTABLE & QUOTABLE
Historic Preservation Defined
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve,
conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes
or other artifacts of historical significance.
This term refers specifically to the preservation of the built environment,
and not to preservation of, for example, primeval forests or wilderness.
-Adapted from Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions
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JOBS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
TOUR GUIDES · GREETERS · HARBOR CRUISE GUIDES · SUPPORT STAFF
Get started in this wonderful and growing industry, welcoming some of the millions who come to this island every year.
This is a perfect time to join the ranks of Newport Tour Guides and related support staff. And a wonderful time to learn about the long and exciting history of our founding, our past visitors and residents, and our wide variety of historical homes, mansions, museums, churches, parks, and waterfront.
If you are persistent, you can still find a wide variety of jobs and volunteer opportunities for tour guides, harbor cruise and sailing guides, sailing crew members, and support staff at the mansions; several of our museums and historic sites have new openings.
Always review the web sites of the city’s largest organizations – several are listed below – also check out the smaller tour companies and historic sites that might possibly need someone just like you. Look for increasing job turnover in the market over the next 30 days. If there is a place you want to work, actively pursue possible job openings now.
Scan these current job listings and review the websites of the city’s biggest employers of tour guides and greeters.
- Newport Historical Society. This organization offers the largest variety and greatest number of walking tours in the city. Check in for future openings. Tours offered year-round. Info: newporthistory.org
- Sightsailing of Newport accepts applications for its jobs year-round. Check their web site for guidance on applying for sailing jobs, front desk staff, and office positions at Sightsailing.com/employment.
- Preservation Society of Newport County. This is Newport’s largest owner and operator of historic properties offering audio and guided tours. A variety of guide, greeter, security, and housekeeping positions are available. They recruit year-round. Check their web site on a regular basis for the latest job openings. www.newportmansions.org.
- Newport Restoration Society. This leading non-profit operates Prescott Farm (2009 West Main Road, Middletown), Whitehorne House (416 Thames Street, Newport), and Rough Point mansion (680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport). Seasonal. Info: newportrestoration.org
VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDE OPPORTUNITIES
- Newport Car Museum’s family of volunteer docents share their passion for and knowledge of cars with interesting visitors from around the world. If interested, call Vincent Moretti at 401/848-CARS (2277)
- Trinity Church. Volunteer to give tours of this historic church, located on Queen Anne Square, Newport. Info: 401/226-1206; trinitytours100@gmail.com
- Preservation Society of Newport County. This organization is always looking for volunteers. There are a variety of positions available, including work in the mansions and in the gardens of the Society. They recruit year-round. Check their web site on a regular basis for current opportunities. www.newportmansions.org.
For continuous and updated job listings, please go to www.whatsupnewp.com.
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CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS
The cruise ship season is wrapping up its fall season. More than 80 ships were scheduled this year. Here you can keep abreast of the upcoming arrivals of these sea-going ships and the thousands of visitors they bring to our fair city each week. Here are the upcoming arrivals scheduled for the next few weeks, courtesy of our friends at Discover Newport.
- Thursday, October 17 – Norwegian Dawn – Norwegian
- Friday, October 18 – Pearl Mist – Pearl Seas Cruises
- Friday, October 18 – Riviera – Oceania
- Sunday, October 20 – Regal Princess – Princess Cruise Lines
- Sunday, October 20 – Riviera – Oceania
- Friday, October 25 – Star Pride – Windstar Cruises
- Saturday, October 26 – Navigator – Regent Cruise Line
- Sunday, October 27 – Star Pride – Windstar Cruises
- Tuesday, October 29 – Meraviglia – MSC Cruises
- Thursday, October 31 – Silver Whisper – Silver Sea Cruises
- Friday, November 1 – Caribbean Princess – Princess Cruise Lines
- Sunday, November 10 – Riviera – Oceania
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FALL SCHEDULE FOR NEWPORT’S BEST BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS!
BENEATH THE BREAKERS TOUR – UPDATED FALL SCHEDULE
The Breakers tour, “Beneath the Breakers,” is still offered daily. Tours are now offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. Tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org
SERVANT LIFE TOUR AT THE ELMS: NEW FALL SCHEDULE
Considered by many to be the best tour in Newport, the world-famous 1-hour guided “Servant Life Tour” at The Elms is back and better than ever. Tours are now offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. Info and updates: newportmansions.org
PRINT & DIGITAL RESOURCES
PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR TOUR GUIDES & GREETERS
If you’re new to Newport and/or new to this field, get your copy of THE OFFICIAL 2018 NEWPORT GUIDES & GREETERS HANDBOOK [Direct from the author or via Amazon.com] to help you become a master hospitality ambassador for our city. It also lists many of the best tour companies and hospitality organizations hiring seasonal and year-round people here. Consider working in ticket sales or other support positions at one or more of these tour companies. It will give you some visitor services experience and make you aware of tour guide and greeter jobs as they become available during the season. Handbook includes greetings in 18 of the most frequently spoken languages heard in Newport.
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CONTINUING PROGRAMS & EXHIBITS
NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 3rd – JOHN JAMES AUDUBON: OBSESSION UNTAMED – ROSECLIFF
The newest exhibit at Rosecliff (1902) is titled, John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed. In 1820 Audubon embarked on what would become his life’s work as “portraitist of all the birds of America.” The assembled collection showcases the naturalist’s relentless pursuit of the birds of America and his singular determination in seeing his beautiful artworks published. The exhibition draws upon the collections of the Preservation Society of Newport County as well as significant loans from private collections and institutions. Highlights include over 20 beautifully framed hand colored double elephant folio-sized aquatints from Birds of America, exquisite ladies’ hats and fans illustrating the early-20th-century craze for feathers that lead to initial conservation efforts, as well as Audubon’s life mask and snuff box. Rosecliff (548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport), daily, 9am – 5pm. Exhibit included in Rosecliff ticket. Info: newportmansions.org
NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 17 – HAUNTED BRISTOL WALKING TOURS – NIGHTLY – 8:30 PM
Haunted Bristol walking tours start at 8:30 every night in front of the State and Courthouse, 240 High Street, Bristol, Rhode Island. This is a lantern-led 1-hour tour about the History, Native Indian Fables, Court Trials and Haunted Tales. Led by local historian Joan Quinn. $15/per person. Reservations required: 401/286-1209.
NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 17 – BEYOND FORTUNE: THE LIFE & LEGACY OF DORIS DUKE
This exhibit at Doris Duke’s amazing seaside mansion, Rough Point (680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport) features photographs and historical documents from the extraordinary life of Doris Duke. Open daily from 10 am – 5 pm, except Wednesdays, from 10 am – 7 pm. Closed Mondays. Admission: Adults, $20; Children 12 and under, Free. Info and Tickets: 401/847-8344; newportrestoration.org
WEDNESDAYS THRU SATURDAYS – NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER- – NEWPORT FOODIES STROLL – 11:30 AM
Newport Foodies Stroll offers a 1.5-mile walking food tour through Lower Thames Street. You will learn about the “City by the Sea”, as well as try the cuisine from five of the best locally owned restaurants. This progressive stroll will last 2.5 – 3 hours. Tours run Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 11:30 A.M. Meet Tom and Sue, your tour guides, in front of the Armory (365 Thames Street, Newport). Reservations highly recommended as these tours fill up quickly. Book your tickets ($63) and get more information at: 401/619-3019; newportfoodiesstroll.com
NOW THROUGH CHRISTMAS – NEWPORT TOWER MUSEUM – WEEKENDS – 11 AM – 1 PM
The huge “Old Stone Mill” in Touro Park has fascinated people for hundreds of years. This is the oldest structure in Newport. Yet, the mysteries of who built it, why it was built, when it was built, and what it was used, have puzzled scientists, academicians, locals, and tourists for as long as can be remembered here. Now, the mystery has been solved. The answers to all the questions people have been asking about this monument on the green of Touro Park can be found at the Newport Tower Museum (152 Mill Street, Newport). Museum founder and prolific author, Jim Egan, greets guests and shares his unique journey researching and finally discovering who [and why] the Newport Tower, located in Touro Park, was built. A visit to the tower is followed by a tour of his museum. The museum displays and images demonstrate several ideas and principles that will astound and delight. The Newport Tower Museum is a must-see for all tour guides, greeters, and all those who love learning about our history. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Museum founder Egan has written numerous books about his research on the Newport Tower. His most comprehensive book, ELIZABETHAN AMERICA: The John Dee Tower of 1583 (2011), is a tome every history-loving Newport resident and tour guide should read and own. Open weekends 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and by appointment. Info: 401/447-6757; newporttowermuseum.com
OCTOBER 2019 TOURS ▪ SPEAKERS ▪ SPECIAL EVENTS
Check out the wide selection of lectures, exhibits, talks, classes, tours, and workshops to add to your knowledge and increase your understanding of the people and history of greater Newport.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
This walking tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 – NEWPORT RUN & CHUG – 6:30 PM
This is a running group that does a 5K run every week (3.1 miles). Run is led by firefighter Eddie Valen. Meet at the Fastnet Pub (1 Broadway, Newport) at 6:30 pm. Run is followed by a meet-up (and Chug) at the Fastnet Pub. Info: 401/845-9311.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 – CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
This annual conference is hosted by Salve Regina University. This year the theme is Preservation and Memory. The purpose of this conference is to explore the complex relationship between the past and the present as it plays out in the preservation and interpretation of buildings, objects, monuments, and landscapes. Paul F. Miller will deliver the Richard A. Grills Keynote Address in Historic Preservation. This recent Frederick C. Williamson Professional Leadership Award recipient has decades of service to Newport as a curator and public scholar of decorative arts, historic architecture, and social history. Info: preservationandmemory.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 – ROGUES & SCOUNDRELS WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour about some of the city’s more colorful residents – pirates, criminals, and more — leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 – NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION GUIDED TOUR – 3:00 PM
A beautiful tour of the National Museum of American Illustration (492 Bellevue Avenue, Newport) is offered year-round every Friday to guests at 3 pm. The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is situated in Vernon Court, a Gilded Age mansion (1898). Vernon Court is on the National Register of Historic Places with interiors inspired by the palace at Versailles. The NMAI focuses on original illustration artworks created to be reproduced in books, periodicals, advertising and in other print media. Featured artists include Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, JC Leyendecker, Jessie Willcox Smith, NC Wyeth and 150 others. Free parking for museum visitors is available in the lot located on Victoria Avenue. Tour is included with admission. Info & Tickets: 401/851-8949; americanillustration.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 – FORTESS OF NIGHTMARES AT FORT ADAMS – 7:00 – 10:00 PM
This is the first of the three October weekends for this experience. Two options are available, General Admission ($15) and Paranormal 360 ($20; Reservations required). Hosted by Fortress of Nightmares at Fort Adams (90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI). Tickets & Information at: 888/382-3267; fortressofnightmares.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 – CARS & COFFEE – THE ELMS – 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Register your car and come join a hundred other amazing vehicles on display at The Elms (367 Bellevue Avenue, Newport) from 8:00 am until 10 am. Coffee available, too. Register your vehicle at audrainautomuseum.org. Info: 401/856-4420.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 ▪ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 – DAFFODIL BULB DISTRIBUTION
Daffodillion, the Island’s civic beautification campaign, will be providing free daffodil bulbs (as long as supplies last each day) to island residents and businesses on two Saturdays at the following locations: 1) Easton’s Beach Rotunda from 9am – noon, Saturday, October 19; and 2) The Middletown Aquidneck Growers Market from 9:00 – Noon, Saturday, October 26. Daffodil bulbs come packed two dozen to a bag (retail value of over $15), along with instructions on planting. Daffodillion’s civic beautification campaign planted its one millionth (!) daffodil this past autumn in front of the Newport City Hall. The Project Director is John Hirschboeck. For more information on Daffodillion, visit Daffodillion.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
This is one of several wonderful walking tours offered throughout the year by the Newport Historical Society. This tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 – BOWEN’S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Historic Bowen’s Wharf hosts the 29th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival on October 19th and 20th. Named one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast,” by Coastal Living Magazine, this event is an open invitation to come back to the waterfront after the rush of the summer season! Honoring the “Harvest of the Sea,” the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival offers fresh, local seafood. Fish tacos, lobster rolls, fried calamari, oysters, signature cocktails and cold Whaler’s Brewing beer accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. Other neighboring restaurants and fisherman’s associations serve up their most celebrated seafood dishes (lobster dinners, clam chowder, stuffed quahogs, clam cakes, shrimp, scallops, raw oysters and clams, as well as a few dishes for landlubbers and kids). Fresh smoothies, donuts and kettle corn for your sweet tooth. Cafe-style seating is set up throughout the Wharf and proceeds from festival bars benefit Oliver Hazard Perry, RI’s 200-foot official sailing education vessel. Free Admission. Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm; Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm. Info: 401/849-2243; info@bowenswharf.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 – UNCOMMON WOMEN OF THE COMMON BURYING GROUND – 11 AM
Remarkable women have contributed to society from the beginning of time and Newport has been home to scores of them. Visit the Common Burying Ground grave sites of influential women like Ida Lewis, Ann Franklin, and Jane Stuart as well as the sites of less well-known, but no less remarkable women like Sophia Little, Harriet Rice and Temperance Grant. Join Lew Keen, chair of the Newport Historic Cemetery Commission and Trudy Keen, independent researcher as they present the histories of these and other uncommon women. Tickets $20; Members & Military: $15. 11:00 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 — 2019 CITIZENS BANK PELL BRIDGE RUN – 7:15 AM
The 4-mile run/walk on October 20th, 2019 takes pedestrians from Jamestown to Newport, Rhode Island over the iconic Newport Pell Bridge. This year’s Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run is a proud part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations for the bridge. Starting at 5:30 a.m. on October 20, runners and walkers will be shuttled from the Newport Visitors Center to the race start line in Jamestown. Participants will be assigned to specific shuttle times. The race itself will begin at 7:15 a.m., with participants broken into waves based on pace. Runners and walkers will follow a course on and over the bridge, taking in the sunrise and the stunning fall vistas that the run/walk is known for. They’ll finally descend from the bridge on to Farewell Street, finishing back at the Visitors Center on America’s Cup Avenue. Registration for runners and walkers (Registration fee: $52) is open at www.pellbridgerun.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 – GOLDEN TO GILDED WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
This tour ties together the city’s many exciting periods of its history. On this tour you’ll get the inside skinny on the transformation of Newport and its people from its colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age summer colony. This tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 – ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
One of several excellent walking tours of Newport offered by the Newport Historical Society. Riots and rebellions, enemies and allies! Learn about Newport’s role in the American Revolution. This tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 — SPOTLIGHT TALKS – ROUGH POINT – 10 AM – 5 PM
Join Rough Point’s tour guides for a deeper dive into the Rough Point collection during the Spotlight Talks. Guests purchase general admission to this Gilded Age house museum and experience expanded talks about particular items and topics of interest from expert tour guides. Whether it is taking a closer look at Doris Duke’s spectacular mother of pearl collection, or learning about the fabulous fashions in portraits, guests will discover the hidden stories behind some of the museum’s favorite pieces. These talks repeat throughout the day. No advance registration required. Admission: $20. Info: 401/847-8344; newportrestoration.org
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM
This is one of several wonderful walking tours offered throughout the year by the Newport Historical Society. This tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 — RETURN TO CAMELOT – ST. MARY’S CHURCH – 2:00 PM
FINAL SHOW! The now famous Return To Camelot presentation will have its final program today at St. Mary’s Church (Corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard, Newport). This program is a re-telling of the storied marriage and reception of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953. It includes exclusive newsreel footage of the young couple, the crowd of well-wishers outside the church, behind-the-scenes stories of Yusha Auchincloss, Jackie’s beloved stepbrother, and additional details of the church’s role in the wedding. The Return to Camelot presentation will continue every Tuesday afternoon through October 23rd. Info: 401/847-0475; stmarynewport.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 – THE PLAZA: THE SECRET LIFE OF AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS HOTEL – ROSECLIFF – 6PM
The second in a series of lectures at Rosecliff continues with Julie Satow, author and journalist, who explores the glamour on the surface and strife behind the scenes of New York’s Plaza Hotel. Her lecture, The Plaza: The Secret Life of America’s Most Famous Hotel is based on her book of the same name. Julie Satow is a regular contributor to the New York Times, her work has also appeared on NPR, the New York Post, HuffPost, and elsewhere. Tickets & Info: 401/847-1000; newportmansions.org
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 – BELCOURT RESTORATION TOUR – BELCOURT OF NEWPORT
Visit amazing Belcourt! Carolyn Rafaelian, owner of Belcourt of Newport (657 Bellevue Avenue, Newport), is well along in the process of restoring this 1894 Gilded Age mansion to its original glory. Several one-hour Belcourt Restoration Tours will be offered this weekend. This home is truly something special. If you love behind-the-scenes tours, now is the time to check out the restoration-in-progress of this fabled mansion, before the permanent changes and upgrades are completed. Reservations are encouraged. Tours each day at: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. Check for current availability. Tickets: Adults: $17.50; Children: $8.00. Info & Online Ticket Purchase: belcourt.com
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 – JOHN J. SLOCUM MEMORIAL LECTURE – SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY – 6:00 PM
The Redwood Library & Athenæum will kick off their first John J. Slocum Jr Memorial Lecture with humorist, Christopher Buckley. His presentation, “My Old Man and The Sea” is a son’s memoir of sailing adventures with the late William F. Buckley, Jr. It will be held at Bazarsky Hall, O’Hare Academic Center at Salve Regina University (Newport). Christopher Buckley is renowned as a novelist, essayist, critic, magazine editor and memoirist. He worked as a merchant seaman and White House speech writer. His awards include the Thurber Prize for American Humor and the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence. Tickets are $35. Info & Tickets at: 401/847-0292 x115; redwoodlibrary.org/programs.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 – FORTESS OF NIGHTMARES AT FORT ADAMS – 7:00 – 10:00 PM
This is the last of the three October weekends for this experience. Two options are available, General Admission ($15) and Paranormal 360 ($20; Reservations required). Hosted by Fortress of Nightmares at Fort Adams (90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI). Tickets & Information at: 888/382-3267; fortressofnightmares.org
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UPCOMING FALL 2019 SPECIAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – FOOD IN THE AMERICAN GILDED AGE – ROSECLIFF – 6:00 PM
The final lecture in a 3-part series at Rosecliff presents Dr. Helen Zoe Veit to share her research into how the American dinner table changed during this period through the food contributions of immigrants, the growth of American agriculture, and the improvement of food distribution owing to the railroads. Dr. Veit is the author of Modern Food, Moral Food: Self-Control, Science, and the Rise of Modern American Eating in the Early Twentieth Century. Tickets & Info: 401/847-1000; newportmansions.org
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KENNETH PROUDFOOT, a Newport Tour Escort and Guide, is a writer and author of The Official 2018 Newport Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook (Shoreline Press (RI), 2017).