When Doris Duke inherited Rough Point, her family's Newport summer home, she began a love affair with the City by the Sea. The story of her passion for preservation, and the resulting rescue of more than 80 historic homes in Newport, is shared in a new exhibit that opened last week at Rough Point. Doris Duke's Extraordinary Vision: Saving 18th Century Newport illustrates the tale of Newport's transformation using photographs, architectural drawings, an NRF paint color palette and a section of a house built by NRF carpenters to show 18th century building techniques. Through May 8, tours are offered 10:00-2:00, Thursday-Saturday. Reserve your tour online or purchase tickets at the door.

When Whitehorne House opens next month, it will have two new pieces of furniture on exhibit. Selected by Executive Director Pieter Roos and Director of Collections Bruce MacLeish at auction this winter, the pieces  expand the large collection of 18th century Newport and Rhode Island furniture on display at Whitehorne House. An inscribed slant-front desk made by John Townsend in 1765 creates an excellent contrast to another Townsend desk already in Whitehorne's collection. Visitors can view the newly acquired desk, an example of a piece designed by Townsend for a customer, alongside his own personal desk which is slightly larger and more intricate. The other new item is a Queen Anne turned mahogany writing table, believed to be a Rhode Island piece circa 1740-60. This modest, yet unique piece, features a table top which can be used either flat or raised at an angle for writing or drawing. Whitehorne House opens on May 1. Join us for one of two daily guided tours or enjoy a self-guided visit to the house.

Join NRF and the Newport Historical Society on Saturdays  during April and May for the Discover Colonial Newport walking tour. Hear Newport's rich past brought to life  through lively stories of revolution and ruin, struggles for religious freedom and local entrepreneurs. On Friday, April 23, the Pirates & Scoundrels tour brings to life characters from the colony sometimes known as 'Rogue's Island.' During May, several other special tours will be offered including some that are not part of the regular summer season. Newport's Jewish History, offered on Friday, May 31, focuses on the contributions of Jewish settlers in Newport. Hear about the founders of Touro Synagogue and learn about their legacy of religious freedom and tolerance. For a complete schedule of tours, visit www.NewportHistoryTours.org. 

There is still time to nominate a local preservation project for a 2010 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award. A joint program of NRF and the City of Newport, the awards recognize  projects by local homeowners, non-profits and businesses. The deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, April 30. Nomination forms are available online or can be picked up in the Historic District Planner's office at Newport City Hall. Winners will be honored during a celebration held at Rough Point on Friday, September 10. Funds raised at the event benefit local organizations through a grant program. Questions? Email awards@newportrestoration.org 

The popular, hands-on Economical Historic Home: Energy Efficiency Workshop for the Old House Owner is back by popular demand. Join NRF, Preserve Rhode Island, Historic New England and the Providence Revolving Fund for an afternoon session in Providence. Learn how to make your historic house more energy efficient. Presentations and demonstrations share techniques on how to be green, save money and maintain the historic character of your house. Topics include insulation, windows, heating systems, tax credits and more! Advance registration required.  

If you enjoy the new Rough Point exhibit, you can delve further into Doris Duke's preservation work in a new book entitled Extraordinary Vision: Doris Duke and the Newport Restoration Foundation. The book is planned for release this summer and will be sold at Rough Point and the NRF Museum Store. In addition to articles on Newport's 18th century architecture, the founding of NRF and community preservation efforts, Extraordinary Vision features profiles on NRF's historic homes and a map for self-guided walking tours. Watch for more details in upcoming enews!