Driving down Bellevue Avenue the other day, I noticed a new museum that I hadn' t seen before -- The National Museum of American Illustration. Nestled in one of the Newport Cottages (Vernon Court), The NMAI exhibits original artworks from the "Golden Age of American Illustration" (1870-1965). Artists exhibited include Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, and J.M. Flagg, to name a few of the illustrious (pun intended!) names that grace the museum's walls.


The museum grounds are quite lush-- the mansion was designed by Carrére & Hastings, an architectural firm that also designed the Frick Collection and the New York Public Library in NYC, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, and the Dupont mansion in Wilmington, Delaware. Right next to the grounds are a recently restored park that was designed by premiere landscape architect (and Central Park designer) Frederick Law Olmsted.

Admission is a little pricey: $15 per person for a Self-Guided Tour, $25 per person for Guided Tour, and $100 for a VIP Tour (minimum 4 people) There are discounts for groups of 20 or more, and some package deals with other museums, so check around for the best price!


The museum is located at 492 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. Admission is by advance registration only (or when they are flying an Open Flag) To ensure your reservation, give them a call at 401-851-8949 extension 16 or email them at art@americanillustration.org

Take the virtual tour!