Preservationist, Philanthropist, Heiress, founder and for twenty years President of the Preservation Society of Newport County. Widow of George Henry Warren III (1889-1971); a third generation Newport businessman whose family had been summering in Rhode Island since 1800. Daughter of the immensely wealthy Urquhart family of New Orleans. Known for her humorous personality, she once attended a costume party dressed in clam shells, banana peels and orange ring; calling herself "Miss Bailey's Beach". A well-known interior decorator, she was on the fine arts committee that assisted Jacqueline Kennedy in redecorating the White House in the 1960's. A passionate art-collector, she favored Picasso, Braque, Mondrian, and Brancusi; and was also an active member of the Museum of Modern Art in uptown Manhattan, which she was elected president of in 1943. Frightened when developers announced plans to demolish Newport's historic 'Hunter House' ~ a small colonial home built in 1784 and said to have been the headquarters for the commander of the French fleet during the American Revolution ~ she immediately began action. On August 9, 1945, she invited 10 diverse Newporters to the Warren residence on historic Mill Street; located near the Old Stone Mill, Redwood Library and Newport Art Museum. Together, the small group formed the basis of what would become the Newport Preservation Society. Raising a total of $10,000, they were able to save the historic 'Hunter House'; which would serve as the foundation of preserving many of Newport's other historically lush homes. Katherine Warren would serve as president of the society for over twenty years! Retiring from service the year of her death. She received numerous awards in honor of her prestigious preservation efforts, including the French Legion of Honor (1955) and the "Woman of The Year" award (1960). In 1981, she was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

Bio by: Bobby Kelley