The Meservey Photographs Collection (PSNCA.H.025)

Historical Note

Under the guidance of the Society's founder, Katherine U. Warren, a Survey Committee was created. In 1947 two architectural historians, sponsored by Mrs. Michael M. Van Beuren (nee Mary Archbold), were engaged to undertake the ambitious survey project. They were Antoinette F. Downing, shortly to become the leader of historic preservation in Providence, RI and Vincent J. Scully, Jr., a young Yale professor soon to become a nationally prominent architectural historian.

The results of the survey were compiled for the book 'The Architectural Heritage of Newport, Rhode Island' to showcase historically significant examples of American architecture in Newport.

Newport was one of the greatest seaports of the colonial era, and the city evolved into a thriving resort town by the 19th century. The survey conducted for 'The Architectural Heritage of Newport' publication provides a comprehensive look at what remained of Newport's early architecture by the 1950s. The publishing of the survey, by the Harvard University Press in 1952, was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Van Beuren and foundation grants.

The Meservey Collection contains the negatives of the evocative architectural photographs commissioned from Robert Meservey. These photographs were the key companions to the text of the book. An artistic survey in its own right, Meservey's images were captured throughout the city between 1948 and 1951.

The subject of the photographs is the architecture of Newport, focusing on eighteenth century colonial Newport, the early Republican period, and nineteenth century resort architecture. Materials are arranged to correspond with the chapters of 'Architectural Heritage of Newport.'