Page 8 Newport This Week June 9, 2011
1964 1900
1925
In the circa 1900 image, details of the Federal-period mansion owned by a wealthy merchant, Samuel Whitehorne are still intact. In 1925, the property had been converted for commercial use. By 1964, the once elegant Samuel Whitehorne House had fallen into extreme decay as an apartment rental. (Historic photos by Richard Walker, Courtesy of Newport Restoration Foundation.)
300 Years of Arts & Culture is Footsteps Away The Whitehorne House, owned by the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF), has a colorful history. It was built in 1811 for a rum distiller and wealthy merchant named Samuel Whitehorne Jr. (17791844). This Federal-era mansion was certainly a grand statement of his success, especially during the depressed post-Revolutionary War economy when few in Newport could afford such extravagance. Whitehorne lived on Thames Street with his family until 1843, when he lost two of his ships at sea and went bankrupt. Sold at auction, the house was converted to shops and
apartments; it slowly deteriorated until 1969 when it was purchased by the NRF. The restoration of Whitehorne House took four years. The storefronts were removed and the foundation, windows, and some of the brickwork were replaced. Despite the severe gutting which the building underwent, a large amount of the original structure and trim lay hidden under layers of reconstruction materials, including patches of the original wallpaper, from which reproductions were made. Among other fascinating elements, was the first floor stairway, which remained
in the house, but had been shifted forward to gain more rental space. The reuse of materials proved invaluable in preserving the historic character of the building. Whitehorne was destined to be a museum from the start of the rehabilitation project. Having developed a fascination for the artisanquality craftsmanship of Newport furniture makers, Doris Duke collected some of the finest examples of their work. In five years, she gathered 146 pieces of period furniture; 56 are from Newport and Rhode Island. Although often unsigned, the pieces have distinctive design, construction methods and workmanship which allow them to be credited to John Townsend, Benjamin Baker and Holmes Weaver, among others. On June 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the NRF is holding a community open house to honor the 200th anniversary of this architectural gem. Created by Doris Duke to share the work of Newport’s craftsmen with its local citizens, the Whitehorne House Museum hopes to do just that. Free to all Newport County residents ($6 for non-residents), the open house is a chance to learn about or become reacquainted with the city’s
2011 The 2011 photo shows the restored house as it looks today as a property of the Newport Restoration Foundation.
A Chippendale chair, with inset showing its ball-and-claw foot detail, is typical of the antique furniture items that Doris Duke collected to showcase in the Whitehorne House. (Photo courtesy of the NRF.)
proud heritage of furniture makers. It is also a chance to meet a dedicated group of modern day craftsmen – The Society of American Period Furniture Makers, a volunteer group, will share their passion for furniture through demonstrations in Whitehorne’s garden. Visitors to Whitehorne are sure to discover an exceptional part of Newport’s rich history. For event details, visit www.NewportRestoration.org or call 847-2448.
Newport’s Old Quarter is a vibrant historic neighborhood where 18th and 19th century buildings continue to be used as homes, places of worship, restaurants and shops, as they have been for three centuries. It encompasses six non-profit organizations: International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum at the Newport Casino, Newport Art Museum, The Newport Historical Society, Newport Restoration Foundation, The Redwood Library & Athenaeum, Touro Synagogue & Loeb Visitor Center, and the Whitehorne House. www. TheOldQuarter.org
Irish Museum Opens Interpretive Center
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The Museum of Newport Irish History announces the opening of its new Interpretive Center at 648 Thames St., just south of Narragansett Avenue. The Center will be open for the season beginning Saturday, June 11. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, June through October. Admission is by donation. Visitors to the Center will learn about Irish immigration to Newport County from the 1600s to the present and of the many contributions made to our community by individuals of Irish descent. The exhibits, which were designed by Northeast Collaborative Architects, Inc., include maps, photographs, video, and artifacts, including some from the construction of Fort Adams, which was built primarily with Irish immigrant labor. The Center and its signage is organized
around several key themes, including “Work”, “Play,” and “Pray,” recognizing key aspects of life in the local Irish community. On opening day, June 11, there will be a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at approximately 10:15 a.m., to which the public is invited. Representatives from Newport City Council, including Mayor Stephen Waluk, will be on hand, as well as special guest Michael Lonergan,
Ireland’s Consul General to New England. Founded in 1996, the Museum of Newport Irish History is a non-profit organization with over 400 members. The organization sponsors numerous educational and social events throughout the year, including the popular Michael F. Crowley Lecture Series. The organization restored and also maintains the Barney Street Cemetery at the corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon streets. The cemetery is the resting place of many of Newport’s earliest Irish residents and was the cemetery founded to support Rhode Island’s first Roman Catholic parish, the forerunner of the current St. Mary’s on Spring Street. To learn more about the Museum of Newport Irish History, please visit www.NewportIrishHistory.org or phone 848-0661.
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