Old State House (Providence, Rhode Island)

Old State House (Providence, Rhode Island), also known as the Rhode Island State House, is a historic building located in Providence, Rhode Island, and was designed by Joseph Brown (architect) and John Stevens (architect). The building was constructed between 1762 and 1764, during the Colonial era, and was influenced by the works of Andrea Palladio and Inigo Jones. It served as the Rhode Island General Assembly's meeting place until 1854, when the Rhode Island State House was built, and was also used by the Providence City Council and the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

● History

The Old State House was built during the French and Indian War, a time of significant turmoil in the American colonies, and was influenced by the Albany Congress and the Treaty of Paris (1763). The building was used for various purposes, including as a meeting place for the Rhode Island General Assembly, which was attended by notable figures such as Stephen Hopkins (politician), Samuel Ward (American politician), and Nicholas Cooke. The building also played a significant role in the American Revolution, with the Providence Gazette publishing news of the Boston Massacre and the Intolerable Acts within its walls. Additionally, the building was used as a meeting place for the Sons of Liberty, a group that included Paul Revere, John Adams, and John Hancock.

● Architecture

The Old State House is an example of Georgian architecture, with a design influenced by the works of Christopher Wren and James Gibbs. The building features a symmetrical façade, with a central pediment and a cupola designed by Joseph Brown (architect) and John Stevens (architect). The building's design was also influenced by the Ancient Greek and Roman architecture, with elements such as Doric columns and a frieze inspired by the Parthenon and the Pantheon (Rome). The building's interior features a Great Hall, with a plaster ceiling and a wooden staircase designed by Samuel Francis (carpenter), and was influenced by the works of Robert Adam and John Soane.

● Preservation

The Old State House was preserved and restored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the help of organizations such as the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Providence Preservation Society. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The building has undergone several restoration projects, including a major restoration in the 1980s, which was funded by the National Park Service and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The building is currently maintained by the Rhode Island Historical Society and is open to the public for tours, which include exhibits on the History of Rhode Island and the American Revolution, and feature artifacts from the Rhode Island Historical Society Museum and the Providence Athenaeum.

● Significance

The Old State House is significant not only for its architectural style, but also for its historical importance, with connections to notable figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. The building played a significant role in the American Revolution, and was a meeting place for many notable figures, including Patrick Henry, John Jay, and Roger Sherman. The building is also significant for its connection to the Rhode Island General Assembly, which was one of the first state legislatures in the United States, and was influenced by the Connecticut General Assembly and the Massachusetts General Court. The building's significance is also recognized by its inclusion in the National Historic Landmark program, which is administered by the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior, and is also recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.