The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island's largest cultural organization, preserves and protects the best of Newport County's architectural heritage. Its 11 historic properties and landscapes - seven of which are National Historic Landmarks - trace America's architectural and social development from the Colonial era through the Gilded Age. In keeping with its mission, the Society strives to offer its members and the public a comprehensive view of each property's architecture, interiors, landscapes and social history. 

The Society is headquartered in a three-story Romanesque Revival mansion at 424 Bellevue Avenue, constructed in 1888 as a summer residence for William H. Osgood of New York.  Its last private owner was Herbert Claiborne Pell, former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal and Hungary.  After several incarnations as a school building, the property was purchased in 1992 by the Preservaton Society, which conducted an extensive restoration and renovation of the building for use as its administrative headquarters.




The Preservation Society of Newport County is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a recognition of excellence within the museum community.

AAM accreditation is a seal of approval that promotes ethical and professional practices.

To learn more about the Preservation Society:


Read our Annual Report


Focus and Consistency Build Success for the Newport Mansions




Partners in Preservation



The Preservation Society of Newport County is proud to have Bartlett Tree Experts, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and The Newport Daily News as Partners in Preservation, with a major financial committment to preserving the historic integrity of Newport.

With the help of these corporate partners, the Preservation Society is working to ensure that these great American buildings can continue to be enjoyed by many generations of visitors to come.




Save America's Treasures

The Preservation Society is honored to have ten of its historic properties-The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms Garden, Green Animals, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House and Rosecliff-designated as Official Projects of Save America's Treasures. The Save America's Treasures initiative is a public-private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, dedicated to the preservation of our nation's irreplaceable historic and cultural treasures for future generations.

The Preservation Society was founded in 1945 as a private, non-profit educational organization. Admission charges, membership dues, fundraising events and donations help the Society to carry out its mission of protecting Newport's heritage for present and future generations.