National Historic Landmark · historic district · Providence, Rhode Island

Providence Athenaeum

Added to the National Register in 1970, and a National Historic Landmark.

Providence Athenaeum
Photos via Wikimedia Commons

What it is

The building stands in the College Hill Historic District ↗.

The linked article describes the district, not this listing alone, so its text is not quoted here.

The record

Property typeBuilding
AddressRoughly bounded by Olney, Canal, S Water, Governor, Williams & Hope Sts., Providence R. & Harbor, Providence, RI
CountyProvidence County
ListedNov 10, 1970
Listed forIndustry, Commerce, Art, Education, Exploration and settlement, Politics and government, Architecture, Social history
Level of significanceNational
Also known asSee Also: Nightingale--Brown House
Reference number70000019
Type of placehistoric district, neighborhood
DesignationsNational Historic Landmark
Contributing resources1,141 buildings, 2 structures
StandingYes

Visiting

AddressRoughly bounded by Olney, Canal, S Water, Governor, Williams & Hope Sts., Providence R. & Harbor, Providence, RI
Coordinates41.8258° N, 71.4064° W · Directions ↗
Also in Providence176 listed places in Providence → · walking tour →
Nearest national park unitRoger Williams National Memorial · under a mile · on Park Atlas
Federal campgrounds nearbyWest Hill Park 22 miles · West Thompson Lake Campground 27 miles · Buffumville Lake (Group Shelter) 33 miles
Listing on the Register does not open the door. Unless a museum or park runs it, treat this as private property and see it from the sidewalk.

Explore

Drawings & photographs

Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 1 record ↗

Map

Local history books for Providence

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Providence Police Department
    Paul Campbell and John Glancy, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org

Rhode Island travel guides

  • Quiet water Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
    Alex Wilson, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • WPA Guide to Rhode Island
    Federal writers' project, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Explorer's Guide - Rhode Island
    Phyllis Meras and Katherine Imbrie, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

When was Providence Athenaeum listed on the National Register?

Nov 10, 1970. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.

Source: National Park Service

Where is Providence Athenaeum?

Roughly bounded by Olney, Canal, S Water, Governor, Williams & Hope Sts., Providence R. & Harbor, Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. The nearest national park unit is Roger Williams National Memorial, under a mile away.

Source: Roger Williams National Memorial

What does the Providence Athenaeum listing include?

The listing counts 1143 contributing resources. Those are 1141 buildings and 2 structures. A contributing resource is a part of the listed property that carries its historic significance.

Source: National Park Service

Are there historic photographs or drawings of Providence Athenaeum?

Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.

Source: Library of Congress

Are there campgrounds near Providence Athenaeum?

Three federal campgrounds are within reach. The closest is West Hill Park, 22 miles away. West Thompson Lake Campground is 27 miles away, and Buffumville Lake (Group Shelter) is 33 miles away.

Source: Campsite Atlas

Is there cell service at Providence Athenaeum?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

Sources

Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 70000019. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The Wikipedia article linked under "What it is" covers the district around this listing, so only its title is used. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.