Since 1916, the Newport Art Museum is housed in the Griswold House. The site is registered as a National Historic Landmark as well as being part of the Save America’s Treasures Official Project.

Design and construction of the house had been led by Richard Morris Hunt, a famous architect, from 1862 till 1864. The Griswold House had been one of the fine members of Newport’s Gilded Age. Other outstanding properties during those times that had also been built by Hunt include the Marble House, the Breakers, and the Ochre Court.

The house’s original owner, John N.A. Griswold, had been a financier and Chinese trade merchant. At present, the Newport Art Museum boasts of beautifully restored rooms, an actively operating art school which boasts of a lecture hall and a children’s art classroom. Outdoors, the museum also offers a sculpture garden and park.