Paul Miller, Curator of the Preservation Society of Newport County, has the responsibility of oversight of the interiors of nine famous Newport mansions and the countless objects within. He recently took time from his duties to share his amazing breadth of knowledge in a mini seminar to MUSE students on the scope of preserving and interpreting The Elms mansion after an estate auction which dispersed all contents that were physically removable.

The students were provided with a series of interior photographs taken during the time the house was occupied by the original owners so they could compare with its current appearance. The students used their observations to find original furnishings that are in place today.