Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 165
11 Historical & Cultural Resources
Landmark
Year
Built
Date Listed
Significance
The Breakers
1893
10/12/1994
Acting as another one of the Vanderbilt family’s summer “cottages”, The
Breakers overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, The
Breakers is built in an Italian-Renaissance style. The building has since been
purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
The Elms
1898
6/19/1996
The Elms acted as a summer residence for the Berwind family. The structure
itself was modeled after the eighteenth century French chateau d’Asnieres
outside of Paris. Gardens in a Classical Revival style were added to the
grounds in 1907 and feature fountains, marble and bronze sculptures, a sunken
garden, and a carriage house and garage. The Elms was purchased by the
Preservation Society of Newport County in 1962.
Newport Historic
District
1968
11/24/1968
Covers over 250 acres of land in the city of Newport. The Historic District
encompasses other historic buildings such as the Brick Market and the Colony
House
Bellevue Avenue
Historic District
1976
5/11/1976
This historic district established in 1976 encompasses a wide array of historic
buildings including the Newport Casino and many of the nineteenth century
Newport mansions.
Ocean Drive Historic
District
1976
5/11/1976
The Ocean Drive Historic District consists of a four mile drive along the
southwestern edge of Newport. Those driving through the district will come in
contact with two state parks, ocean views, lowland fresh-water ponds, large
estate houses, and landscaping that owes its creation in part to Frederick Law
Olmsted Jr.
Source: National Register of Historic Landmarks
Historic Preservation Resources, Organizations,
Associations, and Commissions
The current level of preservation results from the
combined efforts of federal, state, and municipal
programs; as well as efforts from local private
organizations and individual members of the community.
The following is an inventory of some of the programs that
are involved in the preservation of Newport history.
Federal Preservation Programs
Historic and Cultural resources
in Newport do not face any
imminent threats. However,
currently, there are 968 historic
properties in the floodplain.
One potential threat is the
occurrence of any unforeseen
natural events such as flooding,
hurricanes, Nor’easters, as well
as the negative effects of
climate change
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is a
legislation intended to preserve historical and
archaeological sites throughout the county. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of
National historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. Through the NHPA, the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation (ACHP) and Section 106 review process were established.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use
of historic resources all throughout the county. The council works with the President and Congress towards achieving
these goals. The ACHP is also the only entity with the legal responsibility to encourage federal agencies to factor
historic preservation into federal project requirements.
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