Providence City Hall, Providence

City Hall is Providence鈥檚 grandiose Second Empire showpiece鈥攖hink of it as the Louvre鈥檚 architectural cousin, complete with a mansard roof and an abundance of decorative details. The building was brought back from the brink of ruin thanks to a much-needed restoration. Its exterior, a striking blend of iron, brick, and granite, sets the tone for the impressive interior: polished granite columns, intricate ceilings, and cast-iron stair railings capped with gleaming brass handrails.

Prior to the City Hall, municipal affairs were run out of the Market House, which soon proved far too small for a growing city. The search for a new location dragged on for decades, a local saga known as 鈥淧rovidence鈥檚 Thirty Years War.鈥� Finally, in the mid-1870s, construction began, and City Hall became the symbol of a more modern, forward-thinking Providence.

Since then, the building has been a stage for history: Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech on its steps in 1902, and John F. Kennedy followed suit in 1960, shortly before his presidency began. Today, City Hall is still the heart of local government, housing the offices of the mayor and city council.

Tip: If you鈥檙e feeling ambitious, climb the marble staircase to check out the upper floor鈥檚 lavishly adorned council chamber and aldermen鈥檚 chamber, with gold stars on its blue ceiling. Just check with the city clerk鈥檚 office before making the climb; if the chambers are locked, a custodian can let you in.

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: Providence City Hall
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Introduction Walking 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 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

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

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