Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 169
11 Historical & Cultural Resources
Museums
Newport is home to a large number of museums; these are the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Museum of
Newport History, the National Museum of American Illustration, the Naval War College Museum, the Newport Art
Museum, and the Museum of Yachting. Table 11-4 below gives a brief description of Newport’s major museums.
Table 11-4 - Newport’s Museums
Museum
Description
International Tennis Hall of Fame
The International Tennis Hall of Fame, located in the Newport Casino, was renovated in
2015. The museum has exhibits dedicated to the history of the game through three
different eras; The Birth of Tennis (1874 – 1918); The Popular Game (1918 – 1968); and
The Open Era (1968 – Present).
Museum of Newport History
The Museum of Newport History is located in the eighteenth century Brick Market
building. The museum is open to families and provides information on Newport’s rich
history and architecture.
National Museum of American Illustration
The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is located in the late nineteenth
century building Vernon Court. NMAI displays illustration art by artists including Norman
Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Charles Dana Gibson and many others.
Naval War College Museum
Located in the old Newport Asylum building on Coasters Island, the Naval War College
Museum showcases different exhibits based solely around naval warfare and the naval
heritage of Narragansett Bay. Most of the exhibitions pertain to the technology studied at
the Naval War College itself.
Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum is located in the John Griswold house, which was built in 1864
and is a National Historic Landmark. The museum is esteemed in that it is included in the
six percent of American museums to be fully accredited by the American Association of
Museums. The Newport Art Museum displays exhibits that reflect the state’s cultural
heritage and its unique art scene. The museum also offers over 30 educational classes to
those interested in increasing their own artistic talents.
Museum of Yachting
The Museum of Yachting (MoY) is located on the top floor at the International Yacht
Restoration School. The MoY offers informative lectures, literature, and exhibits related to
yachting and regattas. The Museum of Yachting also has a special event once a year,
over the Labor Day weekend, which includes races and a wide variety of different yachts.
Many of Newport’s historic buildings and mansions have been converted into museums that offer tours. They give
glimpses into the culture and lives of their historic and prestigious owners. The converted buildings and mansions that
offer tours include the Isaac Bell House, The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Great Friends Meeting House,
Hunter House, Kingscote, Hunter House, and many others.
Galleries
Dozens of art galleries are located throughout Newport,
showcasing the community’s current and historic art and
culture. The city holds a Gallery Night on the second
Thursday of each month from February to December.
Newporters and visitors can walk from gallery to gallery to
see the artwork and watch artists in their studios.
Festivals
Newport is home to many renowned festivals that attract
people from all over the world. Perhaps the most wellknown festivals are the annual Newport Jazz and Newport
Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)
Festivals and community
events are notorious for being
wasteful and producing lots of
trash. The waste includes CO2
emissions from cars traveling
to and from the event, as well
as an increase in the waste
stream through discarded
paper and plastic products
from food stands, as well as
food waste itself.
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