THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTRY PRESERVES ELEVEN HISTORIC MANSIONS, INCLUDING SEVEN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND EIGHTY ACRES OF PARKS, GARDENS AND GROUNDS, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 250 YEARS OF SOCIAL AND ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY. DURING THE YEAR, VISITORS TOOK REGULARLY-SCHEDULED TOURS OF THE SOCIETY'S PROPERTIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE BUILDINGS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE RISE TO THESE SPECIAL PLACES. IN ADDITION TO GENERAL TOURS, THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OFFERS MANY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, DESIGNED TO PRESENT ITS HOUSES AND COLLECTIONS TO A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE IN AS MANY INTERESTING AND ENLIGHTENING WAYS AS POSSIBLE. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIA AND FORUMS, STUDY DAYS, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, FILMS, TOURS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE THE TYPE OF GRAND ENTERTAINING FOR WHICH THEY WERE BUILT. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED YEAR-ROUND.