About the Guide to Providence Architecture

In 2003, the Providence Preservation Society and the American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter, published the PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture. It was an instant success, becoming an indispensable guide for anyone curious about Providence’s architecture, landscapes, and neighborhoods.

In 2015, the PPS saw the need to make this information available more widely, and this online guide was born. The core content is lifted from the 2003 AIA Guide, but we add to the catalog each year with new entries from our Most Endangered Properties list, Festival of Historic Houses, and other research projects. Importantly, we’re working to ensure that existing entries reflect full and inclusive histories and that new sites are added to fill gaps left in the print Guide. 

The print guide was written by Wm McKenzie Woodward and the photography taken by Warren Jagger Photography. Text from the 2003 Guide has not been changed or updated on this site. Instead, it lives as a marker of that point in time and is identified as such. As we learn more and building histories evolve, we continue to add to the record.

This project has been financed in part with Federal funds from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission. The contents and opinions contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior or the Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap.  Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to:  Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. 37127, Washington, D.C.  20013-7127.


Small Print: All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the Providence Preservation Society. All text by Mack Woodward is copyright 2003 and is held by the Providence Preservation Society. All other text, images, and other materials contained herein are copyright protected.

This program receives Federal funds from the National Park Service.  Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap.  Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to:  Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. 37127, Washington, D.C.  20013-7127.

Supporters of the online Guide to Providence Architecture can be found here. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact our office for more information,

Supporters of the 2003 edition included:

  • The Providence Journal Company
  • Oenslager Foundation Fund
  • City of Providence
  • Cornish Associates LP
  • American Institute of Architects/ Rhode Island Chapter
  • Antoinette Downing Fund/ National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Warren Jagger Photography
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Henry & Peggy Sharpe
  • Transforming Providence
  • Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
  • Foundry Associates
  • Gilbane Building Company
  • Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
  • Frederick Griffiths
  • Edmond Rhodes Nickerson
  • South Providence Development Corporation

The online Guide to Providence Architecture was designed by J. Hogue and programmed by Kay Belardinelli.

© 2025 Guide to Providence Architecture. All rights reserved. Design by J. Hogue at Highchair designhaus, with development & support by Kay Belardinelli.