Operating Schedule
See which of the mansions are open and when. Search by date or month, or view the full year’s schedule.
Visitor Info
View our FAQs, map & parking, guidelines and more.
Tours, Groups, Exclusive Experiences
Explore our various tour types to find what’s best for you and your group.
Accessibility
See specific information about access at each house and property.
History of Newport and the Mansions
Founded in 1639, Newport was an important port city, a center of the slave trade, a fashionable resort and the summer home of the Gilded Age rich.
What was the Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age was a period of unprecedented change in America. Fortunes were spent on luxuries such as the lavish "summer cottages" of Newport.
Deep Dive into the Show
Learn about the people, places and events depicted in Julian Fellowes' popular historical drama series.
“Inside the Newport Mansions” Gilded Age Conversations
Noted historians and authors share their insights into all aspects of Gilded Age America in this monthly series of interviews with the Preservation Society.
Become a Member
We invite you to become a member of the Preservation Society today.
Premium Memberships
We invite you to join these exclusive levels of membership for patrons interested in enhanced access and benefits at the Preservation Society.
Current Members
As a member, you can enjoy unlimited general admission to our properties and do not need tickets. Simply bring your membership card for admission.
Membership FAQs
Membership gives you free, unlimited access to regular guided and audio tours at all Newport Mansions properties.
About Us
Our mission is to protect, preserve, and present the best of Newport County's architectural heritage. Learn more about us and our work.
Wind Farm Federal Appeal: FAQs
The Preservation Society of Newport County is appealing federal agency approval of two massive wind farms off the Rhode Island coast.
Personal Photography on the Grounds
Rent our museums for commercial photography & videography, TV production, and wedding photography.
Commercial Filming or Photography
Museum Rentals & Weddings
Host your wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, or other celebration at our historic museums.
With award-winning artist Bill Lane
This daylong workshop will provide a unique opportunity to paint at the most iconic mansion in Newport. Intermediate and above watercolor painters will gain valuable instruction from accomplished artist Bill Lane.
Bill will start with an on-site demonstration, reviewing equipment, talking about the chosen scene, planning the composition and determining the values. After which (roughly 11:15 am), you will head off to paint at a nearby location. Bill will provide individual attention throughout the day. The day will conclude with an informal critique led by Bill at 3 pm.
Admission to The Breakers is included for those who would like to take a break during the day to visit the mansion interior. Please note that no artist materials will be permitted inside The Breakers.
Bill Lane
“Everyday scenes intrigue me the most; be it a barren landscape, boats in the harbor or city life on a busy day. I observe how the light plays into the scene and reflects off the subjects. I work to capture that light while enhancing my point-of-interest in the painting.” Memberships: Providence Art Club, exhibiting artist member; New England Watercolor Society, signature artist member; Rhode Island Watercolor Society, signature artist member; Rockport Art Association & Museum, exhibiting artist member; American Watercolor Society, associate member; National Watercolor Society, associate member Awards Best in Show • 2016 Spring Bull Gallery “All Things Newport County”: Breakers • 2012 Bristol Art Museum “Sailing on the Bay” Frostbitten First Place Award • 2024 Spring Bull Gallery “Ocean Rhythms” Ocean Drive Glow - watercolor • 2020 RIWS Member Show, Hoppin Hill Farmhouse • 2019 RIWS Member Show, Allen's Rush Hour • 2017 Arnold Mills Community House, Walking the Dog • 2015 Cecil Byrne Gallery “Sand, Sea & Sky,” Walking the Dog
Bill Lane’s Recommended Watercolor Materials(participants must bring their own)
PAPER • Professional, 100% cotton watercolor paper. Bill uses Arches and Saunders 300# mostly Rough but sometimes Cold Press. 140# is fine but always use a good sheet of 100% cotton watercolor paper. Watercolor “blocks” are fine, too, and they give you a rigid surface to use on an easel. PALETTE • Ultramarine Blue (Winsor & Newton) • Cobalt Blue (Winsor & Newton) • Cerulean Blue (Holbein) • Cobalt Turquoise (Winsor & Newton) • Rose Madder Genuine (Winsor & Newton) • Alizarin Crimson (Winsor & Newton) • Cadmium Red (Winsor & Newton) • Cadmium Yellow (M. Graham) • Cadmium Yellow Lemon (Holbein) • Burnt Sienna (Winsor & Newton) • Raw Sienna (Winsor & Newton) • Perylene Green (Winsor & Newton) • Quinacridone Orange (Winsor & Newton) • Titanium White Artist’s Gouache (M. Graham) BRUSHES • Mostly rounds (16, 12, 8, 6) with good points. Bill uses Escoda Perla brushes. • Mop: Bill uses a 14 and 18 Escoda Aquario and a 4 daVinci Casaneo. • A hake • A few flats • A rigger MISCELLANEOUS • Water for painting • Paper towels • Pencil and eraser • Container for brushes • Container for water • Painting board, if you’re not using a block of watercolor paper • White tape, if you’re not using a block of watercolor paper • Sketchbook FOR PLEIN AIR PAINTING • Easel • Easel Umbrella (optional) • Chair (if preferred) • Sunscreen • Jacket • Hat/Visor • Water to stay hydrated • Lunch • Small trash bag • Smartphone, camera or iPad (optional)
Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.Starting September 2, offered at 10 am only.
For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts is open for public tours.Starting November 3, offered at 12 pm only.
See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. Starting September 2, offered at 10 am & 2 pm.
This exhibition examines the mind, ambition and legacy of America’s Dean of Architecture, who shaped Gilded Age America not only through the buildings he created – including The Breakers and Marble House – but also through his ideas.
Offered every Saturday through August 30 at a different mansion each time. Stop by and get creative, and learn a little history, too! All ages and ability levels welcome.
This summer’s Traveling Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Garden series provide families and children a fun and creative way to connect with the Preservation Society’s properties.
Back by popular demand! Create your very own "stained-glass" paper kite, inspired by the stained-glass skylight inside The Breakers! Kids will have a chance to fly their kite on the lawn and learn about the children who once lived there.
The Preservation Society's Summer Lecture Series celebrates "The Great Gatsby," "The Gilded Age," antiques collecting, conservation and research, and the great tradition of coaching. Individual lectures are listed below.
The David B. Ford Family Lecture celebrates the 1974 film adaptation of the classic novel "The Great Gatsby," which was filmed at Rosecliff and Marble House. Award-winning actor Sam Waterston, who co-starred as Nick Carraway, revisits the movie in conversation with NBC journalist Anne Thompson.
Learn about the important role of bees in the garden and take home your own BEE-utiful craft.
Kids collect all kinds of things! In honor of our current exhibition, “Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light,” at Rosecliff, we will learn a little about collecting and then collect some of our own 'treasures” in the backyard.
Lark E. Mason Jr., former President of the Appraiser’s Association of America, shares how incredible works of art and craftsmanship are rediscovered.
Go green and learn all about composting! In this session, we will visit Green Animals' incredible compost pile, learn what to compost, how to use it, and make a take-home micro composter!
Learn about the preservation work and research taking place on The Breakers third floor from Chief Conservator Patricia Miller and Textile Conservator Heather Hodge.
Learn how a sod maze inspired by English country gardens came to be on the lawn at Chateau-sur-Mer. Walk the maze (we won’t get lost) and then design your own mini version of earthwork art.
Move and groove in the garden! Join us for an hour of movement and dance with an instructor from Newport Contemporary Ballet.
Two Preservation Society Fellows present results of their research during the past year, including the elaborate interiors designed by Jules Allard in our houses and the life, collection and influence of architect Richard Morris Hunt.
Have a tea party and learn about tea around the world, right next to the historic Chinese Tea House.
Come experience music for the whole family! Five wind instruments of Historic Music of Newport’s Gilded Age Orchestra will be introduced to the children and the sounds of ducks, cats and wolves will reverberate through the garden as a narrator tells Sergei Prokofiev’s story of "Peter and the Wolf."
Two Preservation Society Fellows present results of their work during the past year, including the A.H. Davenport furniture on the third floor of The Breakers and extensive research on the Preservation Society’s collections.
Learn what life was like for colonial kids at our colonial-era property. Since children in those times did not have TV or computers, they often had to make their own toys. Come try your hand at making colonial toys and pretend to live in the 1700s!
Our special guest for the annual John G. Winslow Lecture is acclaimed actress Christine Baranski, who will discuss HBO's "The Gilded Age" in which she co-stars, her connection to the real Gilded Age, as well as highlights from her career and her thoughts on the importance of the arts.
SOLD OUT
Tree education for kids! Learn about the different trees at Green Animals, how they grow and why they are important.
Learn about Hippodale the Papillon as well as different types of animals that lived in Newport during the Gilded Age. Please feel free to bring your favorite stuffed animal to join in the fun!
Learn what it takes to bring Newport’s tradition of Coaching Weekend to life and hear from a moderated panel of coaching experts as we kick off A Weekend of Coaching.
Kids practice becoming birders and learn about our local feathered friends, from cardinals to hummingbirds and sparrows to hawks.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of dinner and dancing to celebrate Coaching Weekend in Newport.
Did you know the design of Isaac Bell House was inspired partially by Japanese architecture? Join us for this interactive introduction to Japan.
Have you seen our unicorn topiary? Well, the unicorn's fairy friends need your help! We will create fairy homes and experience the garden with a sense of wonder.
Grab your clubs for an unforgettable day on the greens at the Preservation Society’s Annual Golf Outing at Newport National Golf Club in Middletown, R.I., a challenging links-style course with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet Passage.
Three days of fun and educational seminars, tastings, dinners and the fan-favorite Sunday Brunch await you at Rosecliff! Become a Preservation Society member and receive early access to purchase tickets before they become available to the general public.
Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.
Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.
Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.
Partners in Preservation
