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
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Tours, Groups, Exclusive Experiences
Explore our various tour types to find what’s best for you and your group.
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.
Current Members
Current members can see a full list of benefits and any information regarding Members Events.
Become a Member
We invite you to become a member of the Preservation Society today. In addition to joining an active community of preservation supporters and advocates, members are offered unlimited access to all open houses.
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.
The Newport Mansions will welcome families for two fun and creative program series through July and August! Traveling Tuesdays will occur each Tuesday from July 9 through August 20 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Each week, the program will take place at a different property so children and their caregivers can enjoy all the Newport Mansions have to offer. Children will learn a little bit about history and connect their crafts to the properties. They will also earn a stamp in their Newport Mansions Passport! After receiving four stamps they will earn a prize. Thursdays in the Garden will take place from July 11 through August 22 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, R.I. Children will enjoy the outdoor space and gardens and learn about nature, from bees to butterflies to growing plants. They can also earn a Green Animals stamp in their Newport Mansions Passport!
Trunk Show — Elephant Conservation! Tuesday, July 9, 10:30 am, The Breakers Do you hear that? It’s the elephants marching across the lawn of The Breakers! They’re here as part of “The Great Elephant Migration” exhibition. Stop by to learn about Asian elephants, conservation and coexistence between animals and people. We will be making an elephant-inspired craft. All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. (Image shows "The Great Elephant Migration" sculptures on display outside Buckingham Palace in England)
Buzzing Around the Garden Thursday, July 11, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden Learn the importance of bees and how beneficial they are to nature!
Teatime Around the World Tuesday, July 16, 10:30 am, Marble House You’re invited to a tea party! Learn about the culture of tea from around the world and create your own paper tea set.
Carnival of the Animals with Historic Music of Newport's Gilded Age Orchestra Thursday, July 18, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden Come experience music for the whole family with Historic Music of Newport’s Gilded Age Orchestra at Green Animals Topiary Garden. Carnival of the Animals is a humorous musical suite composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886. Sounds of animals will reverberate through the garden — will they wake up any of the topiary animals? The program will take place on the grounds of Green Animals Topiary Garden, rain or shine. Bring a blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy the music. There will also be an instrument "petting zoo" with the musicians after the performance!
The Museum and You! Tuesday, July 23, 10:30 am, Rosecliff Learn about what a museum is and why we visit them. Create a craft that you can take home and start your own museum with.
Silly Plants Thursday, July 25, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden Children learn about the life cycle of a plant and how they can help it through that cycle by gardening. They will also learn about the necessary tools and process of gardening as a whole and take home their own mini garden.
Colonial Kids Tuesday, July 30, 10:30 am, Hunter House Hunter House is our colonial-era property. While you are here, you can learn what life was like for colonial kids. Since colonial children 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!
Enchanted Gardens Thursday, August 1, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden Have you seen our unicorn topiary? Well, their fairy friends need your help! Join us as we create homes and gardens for our fairy friends and experience the garden with a sense of wonder.
Horses, Carriages and Things that Go Tuesday, August 6, 10:30 am, The Elms Carriage House When The Elms was built, most people rode horses and carriages. Let’s take a look at historic and modern pictures of transportation. Then put on your thinking cap: How would you most like to travel? Design a new method!
Butterfly Hunt Thursday, August 8, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden No butterflies will be harmed in this hunt! We will read a story before searching for butterflies in the garden. Kids will create their very own wings to wear and earn the Green Animals stamp on their Newport Mansions Passport.
Collecting Together Tuesday, August 13, 10:30 am, Isaac Bell House Kids collect all kinds of things! We will read a book and talk about all the things we can collect. Children will then collect items around the property like leaves and twigs and make leaf prints on rocks or paper to put in the treasure chest they make.
Plants Dance! Thursday, August 15, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden Move and groove in the garden! Enjoy an hour of movement and dance with an instructor from Newport Contemporary Ballet. Kids can earn the Green Animals stamp in their Newport Mansions Passport. Please wear active clothes and shoes or socks you don’t mind sacrificing to grass stains!
Be aMAZEd! Tuesday, August 20, 10:30 am, Chateau-sur-Mer 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 dream backyard.
Pollinators Unite! Thursday, August 22, 10:30 am, Green Animals Topiary Garden This program aims to educate children on the role of pollinators in nature. We'll learn about the different types of pollinators and their methods of transferring pollen to flowering plants, and how all of us can take part in the pollination process.
Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.
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. *Sept. 1-Oct. 6, 10:30 & 3:30. Nov. 23-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.
For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts will be open for public tours. *TIme changes to 1:30 pm Oct. 15-Jan. 1
Marvel at the sight of 26 life-sized elephant sculptures on the oceanside back lawn of The Breakers and learn about the importance of helping these magnificent animals survive.
We invite you to a special evening at Rosecliff for dinner and conversation with actress Denée Benton, who plays Peggy Scott on HBO's "The Gilded Age," and Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Executive Co-Producer and Consulting Historian for the Emmy-winning series.
Members have a special after-hours opportunity to take the new audio tour at Kingscote and enjoy light refreshments.
SOLD OUT
For the annual David W. Dangremond Lecture, Ian Wardropper, director of The Frick Collection, will share the behind-the-scenes process of the first major renewal of this renowned museum in 90 years.
The annual Jacalyn and William P. Egan Lecture will present Preservation Society Fellow Benjamin Bowery discussing his contributions to our long-term study of cabinetmaker and designer Jules Allard, the man who made the Gilded Age glitter.
Our annual black-tie fundraising event promises a fun and elegant evening of dinner and dancing amid a magical garden setting.
Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where the show was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays only, September 3 through 27.
Save the dates for the 19th annual festival, featuring the Vintner Dinner, Sunday Brunch and tasty yet educational seminar experiences. Plus, special guest appearance by Jacques and Claudine Pepin!
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
