The Newport Historical Society told members at its annual meeting Tuesday night that 2026 has been its busiest year on record, driven by the opening of the Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The society has run 74 programs and 237 walking tours so far this year, supported 278 research requests and hosted more than 4,000 people at public programs. The Center for Black History drew more than 1,300 visitors in its first three months. Web traffic more than doubled year over year, passing 750,000 visitors.
The society also launched a $4 million campaign to remake the Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market.
“The country’s 250th anniversary created exciting opportunities for the Newport Historical Society, accelerating our progress and momentum,” said Executive Director Rebecca Bertrand.
Other highlights included the exhibition “Occupied! Newport and the Fight for Independence,” on view through the end of the year at the Richard I. Burnham Resource Center, and record attendance at two annual events, French in Newport and The Newport Show.
The society added 159 first-time donors and 119 new members this year.
At the meeting, the society recognized two departing board members, Joanna Baker de Neufville and Nancy Cushing Evans, who served 10 years and most recently chaired the governance committee. Mary Katherine Prince joins the board. The society also honored longtime board member Pamela Kelly, who died earlier this year.
