Newport Preservation Society To Mark Major Tour Milestone

NEWPORT, RI — The Preservation Society of Newport is on track to meet a major milestone next week. On Monday, the organization is scheduled to give its 40 millionth tour since its founding in 1945. The lucky 40 millionth visitor will be presented with a special "Gilded Age" prize package to mark the occasion.

The Preservation Society started giving tours in 1948, passing the one million tour mark in 1965. Since then, tourism has increased in the area, with visitors from 125 countries and all 50 states flocking to Newport to see the historic homes. According to the society, the mansions are in the top-four most-visited museums in New England and is the largest member-supported organization in Rhode Island.

Trudy Coxe, the organization's CEO and executive director, members of the society and other will all be on hand at 11 a.m. to mark the milestone at The Breakers mansion, one of the most popular.