NEWPORT – The Breakers is competing for one of three grants from the private nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Newport mansion is one of 100 historical sites across the nation vying for a grant from the trust’s This Place Matters Community Challenge.
The trust plans to award three grants – one each in amounts of $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 – to historic sites chosen by the public. Voting is ongoing this month with a winning announcement expected July 1.
The 70-room Italian Renaissance-style Breakers is the only Rhode Island site part of the competition. The 19th century home built by the Vanderbilt family as a summer “cottage” is now operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County as a museum.
“Even beyond the value of the cash grant that would be so helpful to any number of important restoration projects currently under way, this competition offers an important promotional opportunity for Rhode Island tourism in this difficult economy,” society CEO and Executive Director Trudy Coxe said. “We’ll be working hard to get the word out to all of our visitors and supporters from around the world, as well as the local community, that we need their vote.”
The mansion faces challenges from the South San Francisco Opera House, Houston’s Astrodome and a former home of Johnny Cash, among other places.
Trust spokeswoman Margaret O’Neal said the organization received more than 260 applications for inclusion in the competition. The nonprofit narrowed the pool to 100 based on advice from regional field staff while seeking to maintain geographic and site diversity.
“We really wanted to show the broad spectrum that makes up the preservation movement and publicize the real diversity that exists among the places that matter to people across the country,” she said.
To vote, visit the trust’s website.
