Providence City Hall
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Providence City Hall
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City Hall in 2009
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| Location | Providence, RI |
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| Nearest city | Providence |
| Coordinates | 41°49′27.02″N 71°24′45.81″W / 41.8241722°N 71.4127250°WCoordinates: 41°49′27.02″N 71°24′45.81″W / 41.8241722°N 71.4127250°W |
| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | Samuel J. F. Thayer |
| Architectural style | Second Empire Baroque |
| Part of | Downtown Providence Historic District (#84001967) |
| NRHP Reference # | 75000001 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 23, 1975 |
| Designated CP | February 10, 1984 |
Providence City Hall is the center of the municipal government in Providence, Rhode Island, and is located at the southwest end of Kennedy Plaza. Built in 1878, Providence City Hall is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Upon the city's incorporation in 1832, most city business was conducted at the Market House. The City Council, Mayor's Office, and Board of Aldermen were located on the second floor; as the city grew, the city spread to the third floor, and eventually took over the entire building, which became known as the "City Building." Before long, even this wasn't enough space, and in 1845 the City Council resolved to create a permanent municipal building. The community spent the next 30 years searching for a suitable location, because half the Council votes were on the east side of the Providence River, and half the votes were on the west. This resulted in what some historians have referred to as "Providence's Thirty Years War," as the council bickered over where to site the new building.
The city purchased several lots for the construction of a new City Hall. Construction was delayed, however, and the land was least to C.N. Harrington, who built a wood frame theater on the site. The theater was notable for lectures, performances and readings that included writer Charles Dickens. In 1869, the building was renamed "Harrington Opera House." In 1874, the structure was closed for demolition.
An open call for design led to twenty one submissions, and four finalists. Samuel J. F. Thayer's "Blue Wafer" design was chosen, and he was paid $1000.00USD. The building, modified from its original design, would cost the city $1,000,000.USD. The cornerstone was laid on June 24, 1875. Inaugurated on November 14, 1878, The Providence Journal called the building "Our Municipal Palace."
President Teddy Roosevelt spoke on the City Hall steps on August 23, 1902, and John F. Kennedy spoke on November 7, 1960, just before he was elected president. In 2000, Friedrich St. Florian designed outdoor plaques for the building. Haven Brothers Diner, a Rhode Island landmark, is mobile cafe situated east of City Hall every evening.
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