The Preservation Society of Newport County presents Bill Cunningham: Facades, an exhibition organized by the New York Historical Society, in the second floor exhibition galleries at Rosecliff, through March 1. The exhibit explores the late New York Times photographer's project documenting the architectural riches and fashion history of New York City.

Mr. Cunningham (1929-2016) was a fashion photographer known for his candid street photography. In 1968, he scoured New York's thrift stores, auction houses, and street fairs for vintage clothing. He generated a photographic essay entitled "Facades" which paired models in period costumes with historic settings. By showcasing fashion in the context of architecture, Cunningham traced the evolution of aesthetics from colonialism to the rise of modernism in New York City.

More than 80 original and enlarged images from Cunningham's bold work will be on display to offer a unique perspective on both the city's distant past and the larger cultural zeitgeist in late 1960s-70s New York City, an era when historic preservation and urban issues loomed large.

"Bill Cunningham was a visionary, and the phenomena that he captured through his lens were not limited to New York City, but happening around the country, including right here in Newport," said Preservation Society CEO & Executive Director Trudy Coxe.  "As he was documenting threats to the historic fabric of New York, Newport too was experiencing a preservation crisis, with many of its historic buildings like The Elms and Chateau-sur-Mer facing uncertain futures."

During the years that Cunningham worked on "Facades," New York City was in a municipal financial crisis that wreaked havoc on daily existence, with crime, drugs, and garbage seemingly taking over the city. However, the 1970s were also an era of immense creativity, when artists and musicians experimented with new forms of expression. While Cunningham's photographs offer an unsullied version of the tough cityscape during this chaotic time, his vision was part of a larger movement towards preserving the historic heritage and improving the quality of urban life.

For more information about the exhibit, hours, and admission, visit www.newportmansions.org.