Newport, Rhode Island is one of New England’s most popular coastal resort towns, complete with mansions galore and a rich boating history. An avant-garde force in the world of summer recreation, Newport has played a crucial role in the development of sports like yachting, golf and tennis. The city’s elegant seaside setting and background as the original host of the US Open Tennis Championships therefore made it a fitting choice as the forever home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Rhode Island and the sport of tennis have been inextricably linked ever since the summer of 1881. That year, the very first US Open was held at the Newport Casino, with both men’s singles and doubles events being staged. The tournament would remain in town until 1914, when it shifted permanently to the New York area.

Back in Newport, the casino would fall upon hard times. However, the historic site – despite being under threat of the wrecking ball – would be saved in 1954 and redeveloped into a shrine to the sport it helped foster.

Becoming the internationally recognized tennis capital in 1976, the old casino grounds boast so much more than just a museum. It is also home to a plethora of outdoor and indoor courts, in addition to a large practice facility. The Hall of Fame Open, the only remaining grass court tourney to be held outside of Europe, is contested annually on the grass courts at the center of the complex.

The structure that makes up a majority of the offices and museum space stands as a prime example of shingle style architecture. The Victorian design of the building harkens back to the glory days of the late 19th century and speaks to its historical grandeur.

Despite several major renovations and some contemporary additions, the facility hasn’t lost an ounce of its charm or legacy. Thousands of artifacts, scores of trophies and a wide variety of apparel are prominently featured in cases all across the 12,000-square foot museum. Interactive exhibits and screens playing informative videos have also been installed. The most exciting portion of the experience awaits visitors at the end of their tour, which culminates with a walk through the Hall of Famers Gallery, a sleek chamber dedicated to nearly 300 inductees.

While the US Open may have found greener courts in more ways than one, passionate fans of tennis and those dedicated to the preservation of the sport’s American legacy will find no better place than the shores of Newport.

International Tennis Hall of Fame: 194 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840