| Rough Point |
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 Rough Point was originally built for Frederick W. Vanderbilt, sixth son of William H. Vanderbilt. When it was commissioned in 1887, Rough Point was the largest house that the Newport summer colony had yet seen, replacing two wood-frame houses at the extreme southeast end of Bellevue Avenue. The house was designed in what has been described as the English manorial style, built with the intent of evoking the feel of an English country home.
Vanderbilt eventually sold Rough Point to William B. Leeds in 1906. Leeds died in 1910, leaving Rough Point to his wife who sold it to James B. Duke in 1922. After purchasing the estate, Mr. Duke implemented massive rebuilding and renovations. These changes included a new wing at the northeast end of the house and a smaller wing on the seaward facade that included a solarium on the first floor and a large bedroom above for his daughter Doris. The renovations were completed in 1924. Duke passed away one year later, leaving the home and a substantial fortune to 12-year-old Doris.
Upon her death in 1993, Doris bequeathed the estate to the Newport Restoration Foundation with the directive that it be opened to the public as a museum. It opened for tours in 2000. |
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Tour Schedule
April 8 - May 8: Thursday thru Saturday, 10:00-2:00
May 11 - November 6: Tuesday thru Saturday, 9:45-3:45 |
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680 Bellevue Avenue,Newport, RI (401) 847-8344
www.newportrestoration.org |
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While in Newport, make sure to visit the NRF Museum Store, a wonderful shopping destination on Lower Thames Street inspired by the life and collections of Doris Duke. Choose charming gifts from among a wide variety of decorative accessories, jewelry, stationery, books, items for the kitchen and bath, garden accoutrements and even pet accessories.
The NRF Museum Store is the official gift shop for Rough Point, Doris Duke's Newport Mansion, and the NRF's other historic properties. Located across from the Whitehorne House, the store also sells tickets to visit the Doris Duke Collection of 18th Century Newport Furniture.
Open daily, 10:00-5:00
415 Thames Street, Newport, RI
(401) 324-6111
www.newportrestoration.org
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