Sayles Hall, Providence

One of Brown University's most treasured landmarks, Sayles Hall stands as a testament to the generosity of prominent industrialist William F. Sayles, who donated the construction funds in memory of his son, a Brown sophomore who passed away in 1876.

The building鈥檚 distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque design features rugged Westerly granite and refined brownstone trim. Step inside, and you鈥檒l find a spacious auditorium with stunning pine roof trusses that showcase the craftsmanship of the late 19th century. Over the decades, this space has played host to lectures, concerts, and some of Brown鈥檚 most important ceremonies.

Among its unique features is the Hutchings-Votey organ, installed in 1903 as a gift from Lucian Sharpe in honor of his parents. Still the largest surviving instrument of its kind, it is the centerpiece of the Midnight Halloween Organ Concert, an event that draws students and visitors alike for an unforgettable auditory experience. Adorning the walls is the Portrait Collection, a visual timeline of the university鈥檚 past. It includes 35 portraits of presidents, faculty, and benefactors, with the 2016 addition of President Emerita Ruth Simmons鈥� portrait, recognizing her as the first Black woman in the collection.

More recently, the hall welcomed a new artistic chapter. In February 2025, Sanford Biggers鈥� 鈥淯nsui (Cloud Forest)鈥� installation took residence, with ten glowing cloud sculptures suspended from the rafters. This contemporary artwork brings a modern twist to the historic space, blending the traditional and the avant-garde into a singular experience.

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

Brown University 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 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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