The Newport Restoration Foundation recognized four exemplary historic preservation projects in Newport County at its 19th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards on Thursday.
The sold-out ceremony at Rough Point honored Hope Street Barn, Honeysuckle Carriage House, Ochre Court’s Cignaroli Ceiling Painting and OVERLAP Gallery. The 2025 awardees were selected in collaboration with the City of Newport from a record number of nominees.
“From thoughtful adaptive reuse, emphasizing craftsmanship, engaging scholars and the community, and meticulous restoration, each honoree has helped advance the work of historic preservation,” said Sue Battle, NRF’s development and donor relations manager. “Congratulations to you all.”
The awards serve as NRF’s signature fundraising event and raise awareness about the organization’s work stewarding Newport’s cultural and architectural heritage. This year’s event exceeded its fundraising goal and received support from a record number of sponsors.
Leadership sponsors included the Doris Duke Foundation, Edith McBean, Ann & Samuel Mencoff and an anonymous donor.
“Newport is a special place — and the Newport Restoration Foundation’s unique stewardship of over 80 historic properties through preservation work, engaging the community, advocacy, and supporting the historic trades, is a key part of what continues to make Newport so special,” said NRF Trustee and awards co-chair Edith McBean.
All proceeds from the event directly fund the organization’s mission-driven work.
The Newport Restoration Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by philanthropist Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of 18th- and 19th-century Newport.
NRF operates more than 70 historic houses through its Tenant Stewardship program and maintains properties open to the public, including Rough Point — Duke’s former Newport home — and the 300-year-old Vernon House.
The foundation’s current initiatives include Keeping History Above Water, which advocates for climate resiliency and cultural resource protection; the Historic Trades Initiative, which trains preservation tradespeople; and Telling Stories, which shares narratives of people connected to NRF properties.
