Endowment Campaign

America’s first purpose-built library, and one of the premier educational institutions of the American Enlightenment, the Redwood Library & Athenæum has served Newport as an intellectual center and a regional beacon of lifelong learning and civic engagement since its founding.   

In celebration of its 275th year, the Redwood embarked on a $5 million endowment campaign to secure its future in perpetuity. As a cultural non-profit with collections care, its staffing, and programs bound by fixed costs, a larger endowment will not only yield the requisite funds to operate sustainably, but also enable the Library to:

• Maintain the historic structures and grounds guided by certified preservation architects
• Conserve and enrich our collections of books, manuscripts, art, and objects
• Adapt—from physical plant to technology—in accord with our current board-approved Strategic Plan
• Elevate the Redwood’s renowned programming promoting learning in the humanities.

With sincere gratitude for the kindness of Redwood members and friends, $4.8 million has been successfully raised. The Board of Directors invites you to support this national treasure by contributing to the Endowment Campaign.