Why You Should Go...

The world’s only museum specializing in 18th century Newport furniture and related decorative arts, the Whitehorne House Museum celebrates the artistry of the craftspeople who created classic American pieces to meet the needs of the town’s growing merchant class.

Combining superior craftsmanship with elegant design and fine materials, these artisans – including the Townsend and Goddard families – fashioned beautiful highboys, tables, chairs, silver table pieces, and other decorative works featured in the museum’s collection.

The museum also features a new garden representing the period in a renovated Federal-era brick mansion along the historic Thames Street waterfront.  

Guided and self-guided tours are open to the public from May to October.

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Why You Should Go...

The world’s only museum specializing in 18th century Newport furniture and related decorative arts, the Whitehorne House Museum celebrates the artistry of the craftspeople who created classic American pieces to meet the needs of the town’s growing merchant class.

Combining superior craftsmanship with elegant design and fine materials, these artisans – including the Townsend and Goddard families – fashioned beautiful highboys, tables, chairs, silver table pieces, and other decorative works featured in the museum’s collection.

The museum also features a new garden representing the period in a renovated Federal-era brick mansion along the historic Thames Street waterfront.  

Guided and self-guided tours are open to the public from May to October.

What You Should Know...

Open: Seasonally: May, June, July, August, September, October; Closed on: Monday, Tuesday

Hours: Closed Now. Opens 10:00 AM

Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Thursday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: Less than $25

Payment: Cash, Check, MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover, Debit

Access: Wheelchair

Parking: Paid On-site

Available: Self-Guided Tour, Guided Tour

Insider Info

Highlights of the Museum tours offered at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm

Adult tickets are $10.00, students $5.00, and admission for children 12 & under is free.

Fun Facts

The house was originally built in 1811 and owned by merchant Samuel Whithorne. The house had many lives as a retail space before it was acquired by Newport Restoration Foundation and restored in 1971.

Doris Duke founded the museum in 1974 to house NRF’s collection of early Newport Furniture. She felt strongly about keeping these pieces of cultural heritage in their home of Newport, RI.

The museum is home to 20 examples of ball-and-claw feet, a feature of Newport furniture.