Newport and Providence in Rhode Island

The ICAA is pleased to partner with Classical Excursions for a journey through the expressive architecture of Rhode Island. Enjoy Newports' colonial period private homes, stunning garden pavilions, and grandiose mansions as well as embark on a trip to Providence for a blend of Colonial, Federal, Victorian, and modern architecture.

A fully tax-deductible $600 contribution to the ICAA is required and should be made only after your registration has been confirmed. Please make sure you have received confirmation before making your donation as payment of the $600 donation to the ICAA prior to registration does not guarantee placement on the trip. Payments should be made by a separate donation form, sent to you by Classical Excursions at the time the final tour payment is due. For questions call the institute at 212-730-9646.

The Brenton Hotel

4-night stay in deluxe rooms at The Brenton Hotel, a boutique hotel which overlooks the harbor on one side and the other looks up to historic Colony House on Washington Square, with breakfast included each morning, available valet parking, and The Living Room space for breakfast, and evening drinks and dining.


Overview drive

Overview drive through the colonial era Point Section and then along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Avenue with incredible sunset views of the Atlantic.

New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court

Welcome lecture with architectural historian John Tschirch and dinner at the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, a once magnificent private home completed in 1906.


Kingscote

Morning visit to Kingscote, a Gothic Revival 1839 mansion by architect Richard Upjohn.


Isaac Bell House

Stop at the Isaac Bell House by McKim Mead & White dating to 1882, an outstanding example of the Shingle Style.


Newport Casino

Explore Newport Casino, now the International Tennis Hall of Fame – c.1881, originally designed with both public retail along Bellevue and then private club facilities.


John N.A. Griswold House

Short visit to the John N.A. Griswold House, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1864 in the stick-style of architecture.


Redwood Library and Athenaeum

Special visit to Redwood Library and Athenaeum, America’s first purposebuilt library, and the oldest continuously operating in its original location. Welcomed by Director Benedict Leca and explore with their curator a special selection of some of the treasures in the collection.

Restored 1713 Home

Private visit and reception at restored 1713 home.

The Breakers

Special morning visit to the grandest of all the mansions, The Breakers, completed in 1895 in the Renaissance Revival Style, including a private visit to an area only open by appointment - the third floor with eight bedrooms and a sitting room for guests, plus a north wing section for staff.

The Elms

Afternoon visit to The Elms, completed in 1901, with a walk on the grounds to admire the two garden pavilions: the sunken garden, and the carriage house. Several spaces, including the kitchens, have been featured in the HBO series “The Gilded Age.”

John Brown House

A visit to the John Brown House on Benefit Street, c.1786.

Providence Athenaeum

Walk to the Providence Athenaeum, completed in 1838 in the Greek Revival style, and with a 1914 addition by architect Warren Platner.


Savarin Palace

Lunch nearby at the Providence Art Club, founded in 1880 and housed in four historic buildings on College Hill.

State Capitol Building

Drive through the city and visit to the State Capitol building, completed in 1904 to the designs of McKim, Mead and White.

Bois Doré

Reception and dinner at Bois Doré, the French chateau-style private mansion of Anne Fairfax and Richard Sammons on Narragansett Avenue, built in 1927.

Rough Point

Special visit before opening hours to the former home of Doris Duke, Rough Point, an English Manorial style home completed 1892 and designed by architectural firm Peabody & Stearns for Frederick William Vanderbilt.

Vernon House

Private visit to unrestored and architecturally distinguished Vernon House, c 1760. Generally not open to the public, it is a National Historic Landmark as it is known for its extraordinary Asia-inspired wall murals. During the American Revolutionary War, it served as the headquarters of the Comte de Rochambeau, commander of the French forces from 1780 to 1783.

What’s included

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  • 4-night stay in deluxe rooms at The Brenton Hotel, a boutique hotel which overlooks the harbor on one side and the historic Colony House on Washington Square on the other, with breakfast included each morning, available valet parking, and The Living Room space for breakfast, and evening drinks and dining.

  • Overview drive through the colonial era Point Section and then along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Avenue with incredible sunset views of the Atlantic.
  • Welcome lecture with architectural historian John Tschirch and dinner at the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, a once magnificent private home completed in 1906.
  • Morning visit to Kingscote, a Gothic Revival 1839 mansion by architect Richard Upjohn.

  • Stop at the Isaac Bell House by McKim Mead & White dating to 1882, an outstanding example of the Shingle Style.

  • Explore Newport Casino, now the International Tennis Hall of Fame – c.1881, originally designed with both public retail along Bellevue and then private club facilities.
  • A short visit to the John N.A. Griswold House, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1864 in the stick-style of architecture.
  • Special visit to Redwood Library and Athenaeum, America’s first purposebuilt library, and the oldest continuously operating in its original location. Welcomed by Director Benedict Leca and explore with their curator a special selection of some of the treasures in the collection.
  • Private visit and reception at restored 1713 home.
  • Special morning visit to The Breakers, completed in 1895 and the grandest and largest of all the mansions; in the Renaissance Revival Style, including a private visit to an area only open by appointment - the third floor with eight bedrooms and a sitting room for guests, plus a north wing section for staff.
  • Afternoon visit to The Elms, completed in 1901, with a walk on the grounds to admire the two garden pavilions: the sunken garden, and the carriage house. Several spaces, including the kitchens, have been featured in the HBO series “The Gilded Age.”
  • A day in Providence, joined by Brent Runyon, architectural historian, and former Executive Director of the Providence Preservation Society, who will provide insights into the city and its architectural history.
  • A visit to the John Brown House on Benefit Street, c.1786.
  • Walk to the Providence Athenaeum, completed in 1838 in the Greek Revival style, and with a 1914 addition by architect Warren Platner.
  • Lunch nearby at the Providence Art Club, founded in 1880 and housed in four historic buildings on College Hill.
  • Drive through the city and visit to the State Capitol building completed in 1904 to the designs of McKim, Mead and White.
  • Reception and dinner at Bois Doré in Newport, the French chateau-style private mansion of Anne Fairfax and Richard Sammons on Narragansett Avenue, built in 1927.
  • Special visit before opening hours to the former home of Doris Duke, Rough Point, an English Manorial style home completed 1892 and designed by architectural firm Peabody & Stearns for Frederick William Vanderbilt.
  • Private visit to unrestored and architecturally distinguished Vernon House, c 1760. Generally not open to the public, it is a National Historic Landmark as it is known for its extraordinary Asia-inspired wall murals. During the American Revolutionary War, it served as the headquarters of the Comte de Rochambeau, commander of the French forces from 1780 to 1783.








State capitol building of Rhode Island



Kingscote, a Gothic Revival 1839 mansion by architect Richard Upjohn. Original section (center and right) built in 1839. Addition on left built in 1880 and designed by Stanford White.



Central hall of the 1883 Isaac Bell House in Newport, Rhode Island. Designed by McKim, Mead, and White.



Grounds of the Newport Casino, now the International Tennis Hall of Fame – c.1881.



The Breakers, the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, located in Newport, RI. It was built in 1893, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994.



Redwood Library and Athenaeum main facade, 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI



Newport Art Museum (John N. A. Griswold House)



The Elms Mansion, former home of Edward and Herminie Berwind, Historic District of Newport, Rhode Island



John Brown House, Providence, Rhode Island



Providence Athenaeum interior



Rough Point, Newport



William Vernon House, Clarke Street, Newport Rhode Island



FAQ

How do I register for an ICAA travel program?

If you would like to register, you may contact the travel operator organizing the program. Please note that a $600 donation per person to the ICAA is required in order to participate in each travel program.

What does the required $600 donation fund?

Your $600 donation helps to further the ICAA’s goal of advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts by supporting its varied educational programs, including continuing education courses, college workshops, the Summer Studio in Classical Architecture, New Heights, and many more.

Am I required to pay a $600 donation for each travel program I register for?

Yes, a donation of $600 to the ICAA is required for each travel program you register for. The donation is required for each person attending a tour.

How do I make my $600 donation to the ICAA?

You can make your $600 donation to the ICAA online, or you can download, complete, and mail this form to the ICAA. You can alternatively fax a copy to 212-730-9649. You may also call 212-730-9646 x102 or email [email protected] to make a donation. Donations must be made separately from the registration fee.

When should I make my $600 donation to the ICAA?

The $600 donation should be made only after your registration has been confirmed by Indagare. Please contact Indagare first to complete your registration, and once they confirm your place on the trip, you may then submit the required $600 donation.

Do I have to be a member of the ICAA to participate in an ICAA travel program?

No, membership is not required to attend an ICAA travel program. However, complimentary Individual membership to the ICAA is included with your $600 required donation.

I don’t see the full itinerary for the tour I am interested in. When will it be released?

For full itinerary and more information, contact [email protected], 646-780-8383. Due to the exclusive nature of our tours, some private locations or visits may be omitted from the ICAA's website.

What kinds of trips does the ICAA offer?

Over the past several years, the ICAA has travelled to destinations including Paris; Andalusia; Atlanta; Barbados; South Africa; Chicago; the Netherlands and Belgium; Scotland; the French Riviera; Morocco; the Italian Lake Region; Charlottesville; Naples; and New Delhi, among many other locations. The ICAA is always looking to diversify its travel offerings. If you have a suggestion or location you would like to see added, please email [email protected].