Contact: Morgan Devlin

                                                              Newport Restoration Foundation
                                                              401-849-7300 x14

                                                              morgan@newportrestoration.org

Background Information on Rough Point

 

Building Dates

1887 – 1891

Architect                     

Peabody & Stearns 1887-91

Minor alterations by John Russell Pope 1910

Major additions by Horace Trumbauer 1923-24

Interior Design      

Original designer unknown

1922 interior design by White Allom with possible contributions from other firms

 

Landscape Designer

10 acre waterfront site landscaped by the Offices of Frederick Law Olmsted

Building Materials      

Granite (probably local) and sandstone, slate and copper roof

Square Footage            

39,000 square feet includes 49 principal rooms

Location                   

Extreme southeast end of Bellevue Avenue in Newport on a low, rocky promontory with views down Ochre Point towards Middletown and out to the ocean.

Owners                         

Frederick W. Vanderbilt (1887 – 1906)

William Leeds (1906 – 1910)

Nancy Leeds (widow of William) (1910 – 1922)

James B. Duke (1922 – 1925)

Doris Duke (1925 – 1993)

Newport Restoration Foundation (1999 – present)

Doris Duke                  

Doris Duke lived at Rough Point from May through November most years and enjoyed the time and energy she devoted to collecting the art, antiques, furniture and wall coverings that make up the décor and personality of the house.  Miss Duke’s will stipulated that Rough Point should be left to the Newport Restoration Foundation (which she founded in 1968), kept intact and opened as a museum.  Rough Point first opened to the public in July 2000.

 

 

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