Rules for the Use of the Eisenhower House, Fort Adams State Park


250-RICR-100-00-6 INACTIVE RULE

6.1 Purpose

A. These rules and regulations provide general regulation and guidelines for the management and operation of Eisenhower House, a historic property located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island and owned by the State of Rhode Island.

B. Eisenhower House is an 1873 mansion overlooking the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The house was built as the Commandant's Residence at Fort Adams, and it was occupied by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 and 1960 as the Summer White House. Now located within Fort Adams State Park, Eisenhower House is surrounded by broad lawns and commands remarkable views of Newport Harbor to the east and Narragansett Bay to the west.

C. Use of Eisenhower House must be consistent with the historic nature of the property and the interest of the State of Rhode Island in maintaining the property as an orderly and dignified setting within the state park.

6.2 Authority

These rules are promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 32-1 and R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-27.

6.3 Definitions

A. "Department" means the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) established by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-17.

B. “Eisenhower House” means the structure and associated lawn and grounds located at 1 Lincoln Drive, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI 02840.

C. "Licensee" means the person or entity who holds a valid license for the use of Eisenhower House as executed by the Department or its representative and who is not in violation of the terms and conditions of the license agreement.

6.4 General Use

A. The Eisenhower House may be rented for weddings, social events, business meetings, small conferences, clambakes, large tented and other events.

B. Licensees shall be required to sign a contract, provided by the Department, for all Eisenhower House rentals. No person shall be allowed to utilize the Eisenhower House without a valid signed contract.

C. Use of the grounds and interior of Eisenhower House may be restricted by the Department to designated areas available for rentals and events.

D. All events shall comply with City of Newport ordinances, including noise.

E. Events and use of the Eisenhower House shall at all times comply with federal, state and local fire safety laws and codes.

F. Insurance protection may be required by the Department for events pursuant to contract.

G. The Licensee is responsible for any and all damage done to Eisenhower House property, including damage committed by guests or vendors. The Department reserves the right to require a refundable damage deposit and/or a performance bond in an amount the Department deems appropriate.

6.5 Fees

A. Rates are for a five-hour rental. Additional hours may be purchased at the rate of five-hundred-dollars ($500) per hour or two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per half hour.

B. For weddings, a ten percent (10%) discount applies to Wedding & Special Event Rental Rates if a bride or groom are active military in the United States armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, or who are active duty in the Rhode Island National Guard. A valid active military ID is required.

C. The following fees shall be in effect as of January 1, 2019:

1. Weekend, Holiday and Evening Rental Rates: In-Season Rates - May 1 to October 30

Guest Count

Saturday & Holiday Sunday

Friday, Sunday & Monday Holiday

Monday-Thursday Evenings (between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.)

1-50

$4,500

$3,500

$2,000

51-100

$5,500

$4,500

$3,000

100-300

$6,500

$5,500

$4,000

300+

$7,500

$6,500

$5,000

2. Weekend, Holiday and Evening Rental Rates: Off-Season Rates - November 1 to April 30

Guest Count

Saturday & Holiday Sunday

Friday, Sunday & Monday Holiday

Monday-Thursday Evenings (between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.)

1-50

$2,250

$1,750

$1,000

51-100

$2,750

$2,250

$1,500

100-300

$3,250

$2,750

$2,000

300+

$3,750

$3,250

$2,500

3. Day Use Rental Rates - Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guest Count

2-hour Minimum Rental Required

1-50

$250 per hour

51-100

$350 per hour

100-300

$450 per hour

300+

$550 per hour

4. Photo Shoot or Filming Rates - One hundred dollars ($100) per hour.

5. Damage Deposits – A damage deposit shall be required for all events. The Department through the contract with the Licensee shall determine the amount of and terms for damage deposits.

6. Non-Profit Rate – Non-profit organizations may receive a fifteen percent (15%) discount on all rental rates for mission-related events and functions. Discount requires submission of a 501(c)(3) determination letter and the Licensee’s by-laws. The non-profit discount is not available for events on Saturdays from May 1 to October 31.

D. The Department, in its sole discretion through its Director, may from time-to-time waive or reduce rental fees provided the eligible event does not interfere with paid rentals at the Eisenhower House. All such waivers or reductions shall be approved in advance in writing.

1. Events and organizations eligible to request a fee waiver or reduction include:

a. Events that are free and open to the public and promote and raise the profile of the historic aspects of or raise funds for preservation of the Eisenhower House or Fort Adams State Park.

b. State agencies for mission related meetings and events during normal business hours.

2. Organizations requesting consideration of a fee waiver or reduction must submit a request in writing to the Director of RIDEM at lease thirty (30) days in advance requesting the specific date and time of the event. Request should include a copy of applicant's 501(c)(3) determination letter and a copy of the applicant's mission statement, if applicable. The request must be signed by and authorized representative of the applicant.

3. If the request is approved, an authorized representative of the Licensee must sign a contract, to be provided by RIDEM.

4. Any reduction or waiver shall not affect the applicant's obligation to comply with the remaining qualifications, restrictions, criteria, insurance and operational cost of this regulation or Eisenhower House policies.

Title 250 Department of Environmental Management
Chapter 100 Parks & Recreation
Subchapter 00 N/A
Part 6 Rules for the Use of the Eisenhower House, Fort Adams State Park
Type of Filing Adoption
Regulation Status Inactive
Effective 02/05/2019 to 01/04/2022

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 32-1 and R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-27

Purpose and Reason:

These rules and regulations provide general regulation and guidelines for the management and operation of Eisenhower House, a historic property located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island and owned by the State of Rhode Island.  Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-27, oversight of the Eisenhower House has been transferred from the State of Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission to RIDEM, necessitating the adoption of applicable rules and regulation by RIDEM.  This regulation is formatted in accordance with the RICR. A summary of non-technical changes between the previous version of the regulation adopted by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and the proposed regulation by section is as follows:

  • The Definitions section was amended to remove the definition of “Commission” and to add a definition of “Department”

  • The Facilities and Use section was retitled General Use and the section was updated consistent with the revised definitions section, with the transfer of oversight to the Department, and with the Department’s goal of preserving the historical value of the facility

  • The Approved Vendors and Personnel, Equipment, and Declaration sections were removed from the regulation

  • The Fees section was amended to update the fee schedule to meet current market conditions and to establish a mechanism by which organizations can request a fee reduction or waiver in order to optimize the use and rental of the facility