Old State House, Providence

The Old State House, an architectural centerpiece in Providence鈥檚 College Hill Historic District, has been at the heart of Rhode Island鈥檚 political life since the colonial era. It is one of only six surviving state houses from the colonial period in the United States, with three of those located in Rhode Island. Over time, this landmark has come to symbolize both the city鈥檚 growing political influence and the evolving nature of the state鈥檚 governance.

The building has witnessed some of the state鈥檚 most transformative moments. On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island鈥檚 General Assembly met here and declared independence from Britain, making it the first colony to renounce allegiance to the Crown. In 1783, the Assembly abolished voting restrictions for Roman Catholics, and a year later, it passed the Gradual Emancipation Act鈥攐ne of the earliest steps toward ending slavery in the United States. In 1852, Rhode Island鈥檚 legislature became one of the first to eliminate the death penalty, all under the roof of the Old State House.

Constructed between 1760 and 1762, with expansions added in the 19th century, the building exemplifies Georgian architecture. Its brick and brownstone design embodies the colonial era鈥檚 aesthetics and its enduring heritage. Today, the Old State House stands as a National Register of Historic Places landmark of national significance in both politics and architecture. Since 1975, it has been maintained by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, which carried out a restoration effort in 2020 to ensure its continued prominence.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Old State House
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Brown University Walking Tour

Chief among the iconic landmarks contributing to the cultural atmosphere of Providence, Rhode Island, is Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution known for its liberal arts education and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1764, this is the seventh-oldest university in the United States, chartered before the American Revolution.

Brown's historic campus offers a classic New... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves 鈥� founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Along the banks of the Providence River sits one of New England鈥檚 oldest and most storied settlements. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a bold dissenter fleeing Massachusetts Bay Colony, it initially began as a sanctuary of religious freedom. Williams believed this haven was revealed through divine mercy鈥攈ence the name 鈥淧rovidence.鈥� Over time, the city grew from its humble beginnings... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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