Students got a little extra from their visit this fall to Newport Restoration Foundation’s Rough Point, the former home of Doris Duke. Education Programs Coordinator Liz Spoden gave tours of the house and collections, including the contemporary exhibition of ceramics by leading artists that were placed throughout the house. After seeing the public spaces, Marc Lennon, Facilities Manager, then showed the students around the basement and various systems of the house, areas usually off limits to tour guests.
The overarching theme of the site visit was to learn all the aspects of running a mansion house museum, from curating to security to climate control. The extensive planning that must take place year round, and the sizable budget that is needed, were explained providing the A to Z of running this museum, historic site, gallery and beautiful location on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk.