More than 130 people turned out last week to begin the battle for the historic soul of Newport’s great mansions. On one side: the Preservation Society of Newport County, which has abandoned its core values for the lure of big bucks that an intrusive entertainment center may deliver. On the other: a community of people who care about The Breakers, and all our great landmarks, committed to preserving Newport’s historic integrity.
The fight is an unfortunate one, since the neighbors have already proposed, quite reasonably, to place the visitors center across the street, off the hallowed ground of The Breakers.