The Newport Historical Museum was the recipient of Big Rock Foundation’s generous donation of $14,000 for the repair of the Museum roof and new shingles. The Museum is located in the historic Teacherage building on Chatham Street in Newport, across from the Newport Elementary School. The preservation of the Teacherage is paramount to the Historical Museum organization’s purpose to preserve the past and promote the future of Newport.
The Newport Historical Museum not only houses a collection of items from Newport’s past, but offers the following: (1) guided tours of the Museum, (2) lectures on the history of Newport by various speakers, (3) scholarships awarded annually, and (4) a military memorial room to honor our military men and women. A Civil War Park commemorating the Battle of Newport Barracks is located adjacent to the Museum.
The organization also preserves artifacts from the old Newport School building, which no longer exists. Many of the members attended school from grades one through twelve in this building and have fond memories of this time. Through its newsletters and reunions held in years past, many schoolmates relive these memories and keep in contact.
The Museum raises funds from memberships and donations, as well as several fundraisers including dinners, cookbook sales, and the purchase of bricks for the brick pathway located in front of the building.
The Newport Historical Museum is grateful to be the recipient of this donation from the Big Rock Foundation. Preserving a historical building is costly, and the money will be used for much needed roof repair and new shingles.
The Big Rock Foundation is truly an asset to the nonprofit organizations in our community.
Susan Davis, President, Newport Historical Museum