National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island facts for kids

Welcome to Providence, Rhode Island! This page tells you about some of the coolest and most important historic places in the city. These places are so special that they're listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a national hall of fame for buildings, neighborhoods, and other spots that have a big story to tell about America's past.

Rhode Island has 433 places listed on this special register, and 169 of them are right here in Providence! Some of these are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. Providence has 12 of these super-important landmarks.

This list will help you discover some amazing buildings and areas in Providence that have been saved because they are part of our history.

Cool Historic Places in Providence

Providence is full of amazing old buildings and areas that have been kept safe because they are important to history. Here are some of them:

Famous Homes and Buildings

Nelson W. Aldrich House

• Address: 110 Benevolent St.
• What it is: This was the home of Nelson W. Aldrich, who was a very important U.S. Senator for a long time. Today, it's where the Rhode Island Historical Society is located, helping people learn about Rhode Island's past.
• Listed: December 8, 1976

Candace Allen House

• Address: 12 Benevolent St.
• Listed: April 11, 1973

Zachariah Allen House

• Address: 1093 Smith St.
• Listed: September 15, 1994

William L. Bailey House

• Address: Eaton St., Providence College campus
• What it is: This building is now called Dominic Hall. It's where the president of Providence College lives.
• Listed: March 7, 1973

Charles Brackett House

• Address: 45 Prospect St.
• What it is: Built in 1875 by George Henry Corliss, a famous inventor. Later, Charles Brackett gave it to Brown University. Since 1973, it has been Brown University's Admission Office.
• Listed: April 3, 1970

John Brown House

• Address: 52 Power St.
• What it is: This is a beautiful old house built in the late 1700s. John Brown was an early supporter of Brown University. It was one of the first big houses built in Providence after the American Revolution.
• Listed: November 24, 1968

Morris Brown House

• Address: 317 Rochambeau Ave.
• Listed: August 22, 1991

Dr. George W. Carr House

• Address: 29 Waterman St.
• Listed: March 7, 1973

John Corliss House

• Address: 201 S. Main St.
• Listed: May 1, 1974

Corliss-Carrington House

• Address: 66 Williams St.
• What it is: This is a very well-preserved townhouse from 1812, built in a style called Adamesque-Federal. It has cool wrought iron columns on the front.
• Listed: December 30, 1970

Susan S. & Edward J. Cutler House

• Address: 12 Woodbine St.
• Listed: April 6, 2015

Richard Henry Deming House

• Address: 66 Burnett St.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Edward Dexter House

• Address: 72 Waterman St.
• Listed: June 21, 1971

Jeremiah Dexter House

• Address: 957 N. Main St.
• Listed: October 8, 1976

Charles Dowler House

• Address: 581 Smith St.
• Listed: February 23, 1984

Esek Hopkins House

• Address: 97 Admiral St.
• Listed: May 22, 1973

Gov. Stephen Hopkins House

• Address: 15 Hopkins St.
• What it is: This was the home of Stephen Hopkins, who was a governor of Rhode Island during colonial times and signed the Declaration of Independence.
• Listed: April 3, 1970

Thomas F. Hoppin House

• Address: 383 Benefit St.
• What it is: This house is now home to the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University.
• Listed: February 6, 1973

Thomas P. Ives House

• Address: 66 Power St.
• Listed: December 30, 1970

Governor Henry Lippitt House

• Address: 199 Hope St.
• What it is: This Italian villa-style home was designed by Henry Childs and still has many of its original rooms and decorations.
• Listed: November 27, 1972

Matthew Lynch House

• Address: 120 Robinson St.
• Listed: March 8, 1978

Israel B. Mason House

• Address: 571 Broad St.
• Listed: August 16, 1977

Nathaniel Pearce House

• Address: 305 Brook St.
• Listed: May 19, 1972

Plain Farm House

• Address: 108 Webster Ave.
• Listed: June 27, 1980

Joseph and William Russell House

• Address: 118 N. Main St.
• Listed: August 12, 1971

David Sprague House

• Address: 7 Harvard Ave. at Taylor St.
• What it is: This house was moved from its first spot at 263 Public St.
• Listed: May 23, 1978

Woods-Gerry House

• Address: 62 Prospect St.
• Listed: February 12, 1971

Historic Districts and Areas

Andrew Dickhaut Cottages Historic District

• Address: 114–141 Bath St., 6-18 Duke St., and 377 Orms St.
• Listed: February 23, 1984

Blackstone Boulevard Realty Plat Historic District

• Address: Generally around Blackstone Boulevard, Rochambeau Ave., Holly St., and Elmgrove Ave.
• Listed: June 9, 1995

Blackstone Boulevard-Cole Avenue-Grotto Avenue Historic District

• Address: Generally around Blackstone Boulevard and Cole, Grotto, President, and Rochambeau Aves.
• Listed: November 12, 2009

Blackstone Park Historic District

• Address: Generally around the Seekonk River, Laurell Ave., Blackstone Boulevard, and S. Angell St.
• Listed: June 5, 1998

Bridgham-Arch-Wilson Streets Historic District

• Address: Generally around Lester and Bridgham Sts., Elmwood Ave., and Warren and Dexter Sts.
• Listed: September 1, 1988

Broadway-Armory Historic District

• Address: Providence
• Listed: May 1, 1974

College Hill Historic District

• Address: Generally bordered by the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, Olney, Hope, and Governor Sts., Carrington and Whittier.
• What it is: This is the original part of Providence, first set up by Roger Williams. It has many old buildings and homes from the 1700s and 1800s, plus Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.
• Listed: November 10, 1970

Customhouse Historic District

• Address: Bounded by Westminster, Exchange, Dyer, Pine, and Peck Sts.
• Listed: February 20, 1975

Downtown Providence Historic District

• Address: Generally around Washington, Westminster, Empire and Weybosset Sts.
• Listed: February 10, 1984

Doyle Avenue Historic District

• Address: Doyle Ave. from N. Main St. to Hope St.
• Listed: February 22, 1990

Elmgrove Gardens Historic District

• Address: Rochambeau, Morris, and Cole Aves. and Fosdyke and Woodbury Sts.
• Listed: February 2, 2005

Elmwood Historic District

• Address: North Section bounded by Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue, along sections of Whitmarsh, Moore, Daboll, and Mawney Sts. and Princeton Ave. South Section along Ontario St. and Congress, Lexington, Atlantic, and Adelaide Aves.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Freeman Plat Historic District

• Address: Generally around Morris, Sessions, Cole, and Everett Aves.
• Listed: June 2, 1995

Hope-Power-Cooke Streets Historic District

• Address: Generally around Angell, Governor, Williams, and Brook Sts.
• Listed: January 12, 1973

Moshassuck Square

• Address: Generally around Charles, Randall, N. Main, and Smith Sts.
• Listed: September 8, 1970

Norwood Avenue Historic District

• Address: Generally along Norwood Ave. between Roger Williams Park and Broad St.
• What it is: This district also goes into the nearby town of Cranston.
• Listed: April 26, 2002

Oakland Avenue Historic District

• Address: Generally around Pembroke Ave. and Eaton, Malbone, and Dickens Sts.
• Listed: November 1, 1984

Olney Street-Alumni Avenue Historic District

• Address: Generally around Olney St., Arlington Ave., Alumni Ave., and Hope St.
• Listed: May 11, 1989

Parkis-Comstock Historic District

• Address: Broad St. and Parkis and Comstock Aves.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Pekin Street Historic District

• Address: Generally around Pekin and Candace Sts., Douglas and Chalkstone Aves.
• Listed: November 1, 1984

Pine Street Historic District

• Address: Along Pine St. from Myrtle to Seekill Sts.
• Listed: September 13, 1978

Power Street-Cooke Street Historic District

• Address: Generally around Angell, Governor, Power, and Hope Sts.
• Listed: July 30, 1974

Providence Jewelry Manufacturing Historic District

• Address: Bounded by Ship St., Ashcroft and Elbow and Hospital Sts., Point and South Sts., Imperial and Claverick Sts., and U.S. Route 195.
• Listed: December 5, 1985

Rhodes Street Historic District

• Address: Rhodes, Janes, and Alphonso Sts.
• Listed: November 12, 1982

Roger Williams Park Historic District

• Address: Roger Williams Park
• Listed: October 15, 1966

Smith Hill Historic District

• Address: 57–65 Brownell St., 73–114 Holden St., 23–80 Jewett St., 189–240 Smith St., and 10–18 W. Park St.
• Listed: November 4, 1993

Stimson Avenue Historic District

• Address: Both sides of Stimson Ave. and Diman Pl. between Angell St. on the south, Hope St. on the west, and a stone wall on the north.
• Listed: April 24, 1973

Summit Historic District

• Address: Summit Ave., Rochambeau Ave., Camp St., Memorial Rd., and Creston Way.
• Listed: September 23, 2003

Trinity Square Historic District

• Address: Broad St. and Elmwood Ave.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Wanskuck Historic District

• Address: Generally around Branch Ave., Louisquisset Pike, and the town boundary.
• Listed: December 1, 1983

Wayland Historic District

• Address: Generally around Arlington and Laurel Aves., Weymouth St., Blackstone Boulevard, Butler Ave., and Angell and S. Angell Sts.
• Listed: December 8, 2005

Wesleyan Avenue Historic District

• Address: Generally Wesleyan Ave., between Taylor and Broad Sts.
• Listed: November 23, 1982

Westminster Street Historic District

• Address: Generally along Westminster St., between Stewart St. and Sawins Ln.
• Listed: May 30, 2003

Churches and Religious Buildings

All Saints Memorial Church

• Address: 674 Westminster St.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Bell Street Chapel

• Address: 5 Bell St.
• Listed: March 14, 1973

Beneficent Congregational Church

• Address: 300 Weybosset St.
• Listed: January 13, 1972

Calvary Baptist Church

• Address: 747 Broad St.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

• Address: Cathedral Sq.
• Listed: February 10, 1975

Christ Episcopal Church

• Address: 909 Eddy St.
• What it is: This church was taken down in 2006.
• Listed: June 30, 1976

Congdon Street Baptist Church

• Address: 17 Congdon St.
• Listed: June 21, 1971

First Baptist Meetinghouse

• Address: N. Main St. between Thomas and Waterman Sts.
• What it is: This is the oldest Baptist church group in the United States, started by Roger Williams in 1638. The building you see today was built in 1775.
• Listed: October 15, 1966

First Universalist Church

• Address: 250 Washington St.
• Listed: August 16, 1977

Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church

• Address: 15 Hayes St.
• Listed: February 23, 1984

Grace Church

• Address: 175 Mathewson St.
• Listed: June 19, 1972

Our Lady of Lourdes Church Complex

• Address: 901–903 Atwells Ave.
• Listed: March 15, 1990

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

• Address: 86 Hope St.
• Listed: July 15, 1974

Saint Martin's Church

• Address: 50 Orchard Ave.
• Listed: May 16, 1996

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Convent, Rectory, and School

• Address: 251 Oxford St.
• Listed: March 25, 1977

St. Stephen's Church

• Address: 114 George St.
• Listed: February 6, 1973

Sons of Jacob Synagogue

• Address: 24 Douglas Ave.
• Listed: August 24, 1989

Temple Beth-El

• Address: 688 Broad St.
• Listed: December 29, 1988

Schools and Libraries

America Street School

• Address: 22 America St.
• What it is: This school was torn down in 1996.
• Listed: June 18, 1987

Moses Brown School

• Address: 250 Lloyd Ave.
• Listed: July 24, 1980

Brick Schoolhouse

• Address: 24 Meeting St.
• Listed: December 5, 1972

Covell Street School

• Address: 231 Amherst St.
• Listed: September 30, 1976

Rochambeau Branch-Providence Public Library

• Address: 708 Hope St.
• Listed: March 5, 1998

Smith Hill Branch-Providence Public Library

• Address: 31 Candace St.
• Listed: March 5, 1998

Smith Street Primary School

• Address: 396 Smith St.
• Listed: February 23, 1984

South Providence Branch-Providence Public Library

• Address: 455 Prairie Ave.
• Listed: March 5, 1998

University Hall (Brown University)

• Address: Brown University campus
• What it is: This is the oldest building on the Brown University campus, built way back in 1770.
• Listed: October 15, 1966

Wanskuck Branch-Providence Public Library

• Address: 233 Veazie St.
• Listed: March 5, 1998

Other Important Structures

The Arcade

• Address: 130 Westminster St. and 65 Weybosset St.
• What it is: Built in 1828, this was the very first enclosed shopping mall in the United States!
• Listed: May 6, 1971

American Brewing Company Plant

• Address: 431 Harris Ave.
• Listed: June 21, 2016

Arnold-Palmer House

• Address: 33 Chestnut St.
• Listed: January 20, 1972

Aylesworth Apartments

• Address: 188–194 Broad St.
• Listed: November 12, 1982

Beaman and Smith Company Mill

• Address: 20 Gordon Ave.
• Listed: April 20, 2006

Blackstone Canal

• Address: From Steeple and Promenade Sts. to the Ashton Dam.
• What it is: This canal was an important waterway for moving goods. It stretches from Providence through other towns in Rhode Island and even into Massachusetts.
• Listed: May 6, 1971

William J. Braitsch and Company Plant

• Address: 472 Potters Ave.
• Listed: July 11, 2016

Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company Complex

• Address: Promenade, Bath, Calverly, West Park, Holden, and Brownell Sts, and Interstate 95.
• Listed: April 18, 2003

Burrows Block

• Address: 735–745 Westminster St.
• Listed: September 5, 1990

Butler Hospital

• Address: 345 Blackstone Boulevard
• Listed: October 8, 1976

A. F. Cappelli Block

• Address: 263–265 Atwells Ave.
• Listed: March 3, 1980

Central Diner

• Address: 777 Elmwood Ave.
• Listed: January 13, 2010

Chemical Building, Fields Point Sewage Treatment Plant

• Address: Ernest St. at Fields Point
• Listed: January 13, 1989

Columbus Statue

• Address: Fork at Elmwood Ave. and Reservoir avenue
• What it is: This is a statue of Christopher Columbus.
• Listed: October 19, 2001

Davol Rubber Company

• Address: Point and Eddy Sts.
• Listed: June 27, 1980

Dyerville Mill

• Address: 610 Manton Ave.
• Listed: June 18, 1979

Earnscliffe Woolen-Paragon Worsted Company Mill Complex

• Address: 25 and 39 Manton Ave.
• Listed: April 4, 2007

Elizabeth Building

• Address: 100 N. Main St.
• Listed: November 5, 1971

Ernest Street Sewage Pumping Station

• Address: Ernest and Ellis Sts.
• Listed: January 13, 1989

Federal Building

• Address: Kennedy Plaza
• Listed: April 13, 1972

Fleur-de-Lys Studios

• Address: 7 Thomas St.
• Listed: October 5, 1992

General Ice Cream Corporation Building

• Address: 485 Plainfield St.
• Listed: August 19, 2008

Joseph Haile House

• Address: 106 George St.
• Listed: May 19, 1972

Hay and Owen Buildings

• Address: 101 and 117–135 Dyer St.
• Listed: November 12, 1982

Heaton and Cowing Mill

• Address: 1115 Douglas Ave.
• Listed: June 6, 2012

Hope Block and Cheapside

• Address: 22–26 and 40 N. Main St.
• Listed: May 21, 1975

Ladd Observatory

• Address: 210 Doyle Ave., at its junction with Hope St.
• Listed: June 6, 2000

Loew's State Theater

• Address: 220 Weybosset St.
• What it is: This theater is now known as the Providence Performing Arts Center.
• Listed: August 19, 1977

Louttit Laundry

• Address: 93 Cranston St.
• What it is: This building was torn down in 2008.
• Listed: March 18, 2004

Market House

• Address: Market Sq.
• Listed: April 13, 1972

Mechanical Fabric Company

• Address: 55 Cromwell St., 40, 40R, 50, and 50R Sprague St.
• Listed: January 8, 2014

Merchants Bank Building

• Address: 32 Westminster St.
• Listed: November 21, 1977

National and Providence Worsted Mills

• Address: 166 Valley St.
• Listed: July 11, 2003

New England Butt Company

• Address: 304 Pearl St.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Nicholson File Company Mill Complex

• Address: 1–45 Acorn St.
• Listed: August 22, 2005

Nightingale-Brown House

• Address: 357 Benefit St.
• What it is: This is one of the most amazing Georgian-style homes in the country. Later, famous architects and landscape designers worked on it.
• Listed: June 29, 1989

North Burial Ground

• Address: Between Branch Ave. and N. Main St.
• Listed: September 13, 1977

Ontario Apartments

• Address: 25–31 and 37–41 Ontario St.
• Listed: March 5, 1998

Oriental Mills

• Address: 10 Admiral St.
• Listed: December 23, 2005

Perkins Buildings

• Address: 85 Sprague St., 101 and 102 Westfield St.
• Listed: January 30, 2004

Poirier's Diner

• Address: 1380 Westminster St.
• What it is: This diner was moved from its original spot in 2011.
• Listed: July 17, 2003

Providence City Hall

• Address: Dorrance and Washington Sts.
• Listed: January 23, 1975

Providence Dyeing, Bleaching, Calendring Company

• Address: 46, 50, 52, and 60 Valley St. and 80 Delaine St.
• Listed: October 18, 2004

Providence Fruit and Produce Warehouse Company Building

• Address: 6–64 Harris Ave.
• What it is: This building was torn down in January 2008.
• Listed: June 10, 2005

Providence Gas Company Purifier House

• Address: 200 Allens Ave.
• Listed: June 21, 2007

Providence Lying-In Hospital

• Address: 50 Maude St.
• Listed: August 13, 1986

Providence Steel and Iron Company Complex

• Address: 27 Sims Ave.
• Listed: August 24, 2005

Providence Telephone Company

• Address: 112 Union St.
• Listed: August 4, 1983

Providence-Biltmore Hotel

• Address: 11 Dorrance St.
• Listed: May 27, 1977

Reservoir Avenue Sewage Pumping Station

• Address: Reservoir and Pontiac Aves.
• Listed: January 13, 1989

Return Sludge Pumping Station, Fields Point Sewage Treatment Plant

• Address: Ernest St.
• Listed: January 13, 1989

Rhode Island Hospital Trust Building

• Address: 15 Westminster St.
• Listed: October 22, 1976

Rhode Island Medical Society Building

• Address: 106 Francis St.
• Listed: June 4, 1984

Rhode Island Statehouse

• Address: 90 Smith St.
• Listed: April 28, 1970

Rhode Island Tool Company

• Address: 146–148 W. River St.
• Listed: August 4, 2004

Roger Williams National Memorial

• Address: Bounded by N. Main, Canal, Smith, and Haymarket Sts.
• Listed: October 15, 1966

Shakespeare Hall

• Address: 128 Dorrance St.
• Listed: June 18, 1979

Shepard Company Building

• Address: 259 Westminster Mall, 72–92 Washington St.
• Listed: August 11, 1976

Sixth District Courthouse

• Address: 150 Benefit St.
• What it is: This building is also known as the Old State House.
• Listed: April 28, 1970

Sludge Press House, Fields Point Sewage Treatment Plant

• Address: Ernest St. at Fields Point
• Listed: January 13, 1989

South Street Station

• Address: 360 Eddy St.
• Listed: June 30, 2006

State Arsenal

• Address: 176 Benefit St.
• Listed: April 28, 1970

Swan Point Cemetery

• Address: 585 Blackstone Boulevard
• Listed: October 5, 1977

Trinity Square Repertory Theatre

• Address: 201 Washington St.
• Listed: June 5, 1972

U.S. Customshouse

• Address: 24 Weybosset St.
• Listed: April 13, 1972

Union Station

• Address: Exchange Ter.
• Listed: February 20, 1975

Union Trust Company Building

• Address: 62 Dorrance St.
• Listed: March 1, 1973

United States Rubber Company Mill Complex

• Address: Bounded by Hemlock and Valley Sts., Richmond Pl., and the Woonasquatucket River.
• Listed: August 24, 2005

Veterans Memorial Auditorium-Masonic Temple

• Address: Junction of Brownell and Park Sts.
• Listed: November 16, 1993

Washington Park Sewage Pumping Station

• Address: Shipyard St.
• Listed: January 13, 1989

Weybosset Mills Complex

• Address: Dike, Oak, Magnolia, Agnes, and Troy Sts.
• Listed: January 10, 2008

Josephine White Block

• Address: 737–739 Cranston St.
• Listed: January 7, 1980

Winsor-Swan-Whitman Farm

• Address: 416 Eaton St.
• Listed: May 1, 1974

Constance Witherby Park

• Address: 210 Pitman St.
• Listed: November 25, 1975

Former Listings

Some historic places that were once on the National Register have been removed, sometimes because they were torn down.

North Freight Station

• Address: Canal St.
• What it was: This building was demolished in 1973.
• Listed: May 7, 1973
• Delisted: December 18, 1980

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos en Providence para niños