Proposed design for a new Rhode Island Archives and History Center. (Office of R.I. Secy. of State)
By proposing to build itself a new headquarters, the Rhode Island State Archives has revealed itself capable of the self-aggrandizement conventional in most government bureaucracies. Granted, there has never before been a designated state archives building in Rhode Island.
The state archives has been housed in several locations over the centuries (once at the bottom of a pond for safekeeping from the British, if my memory serves), most recently in an abominably tedious office building at 33 Broad St., known colloquially as the Black & Blue Building, in which it rents space from Paolino Properties at $248,000 a year. For all its dour appearance, at least it is not in a flood plain, as was its predecessor since 1990, until 2020, at 337 Westminster Street (which was at least an attractive Art Deco style, c.1927). Officials at the archives, which operates under the Office of the R.I. Secretary of State, claim that Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the only state without an officially designated state archives building.
The proposal for a new building has surfaced several times in recent years, only to be shot down by the General Assembly. In the last go-round, the proposed facility took the form illustrated above, with its hackneyed off-kilter floor levels. This is not the current design, if there is one. It was to have been located on vacant land across Smith Street from the State House.
The proposal’s aesthetic demerits probably did not sink it in the assembly. Even with federal covid funds threatening the state’s financial probity, this facility was deemed too extravagant. But even a state legislator might sense that the facility was not a proper look for so exalted a purpose as a state archive. A building boasting such a use ought, one might suspect, speak to us of history, that is, it should be housed in a historic building, in an old building of traditional design, or, dare we way it, a new building of traditional design.
Earlier proposals to move the archives to the Cranston Street Armory were found to be too costly. News of a study deploring the archival situation was published in the Providence Journal in 1924 under the headline “Urges More Safeguards for State’s Archives.” If only the writer of the article had known that 99 years later the state would still be struggling (if that’s the right word) to tackle this problem.
A committee chaired by the deputy secretary of state, Rob Rock, has been convened to address this longstanding issue. State Archivist Ashley Selima is also involved. Its next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the State House. The Rhode Island Historical Society holds a certain portion of the state’s historical documents collection. It should be part of the discussion about where to relocate the state archive, if it has not already been involved.
A site across from the State House would be perfectly appropriate, if the design were also appropriately historical – but as that is unlikely, the committee should look again at existing buildings that are appropriate from a fiscal, safety, and aesthetic standpoint.
Architecture Here and There 
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The proposed archive bldg is indeed preposterous and offensive. Why not start a movement for an open competition? Of course the jury should be composed of regular citizens, no architects or artists. Most who use the building will no doubt be ordinary citizens, not the art elite. Let them choose the winner of the competition.
Milton
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I believe you have just initiated such a movement, although I think it might be difficult to keep architects and architect wannabes off the jury!
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Dear Hasheem. I would certainly try to view the Rhode Island State Capitol. It is not necessary to go inside, but try. It might be closed for the holiday, but it is as lovely inside as outside. Also, try the Providence Athenaeum, if it is not also closed, which it might already be for scheduled repairs. More so than beautiful individual buildings, Providence has beautiful fabric. Walk or drive along Benefit Street, or in downtown along Westminster and Weybosset streets, the two core commercial streets. The place on Weybosset near the Providence River where the street curves to meet Westminster Street is glorious. Walk along the river walks, which were created in 1990-96 when the river was daylighted (they took the cover off). It is largely traditional in its approach, and so much more elegant than most waterfronts built in the last three or four decades around the world. If you drive around on College Hill, across the Providence River from downtown, you will see how lovely an historical neighborhood can be. But the downtown is rarer: It is the only entirely preserved commercial district (and so designated) in the country. There are inseensitive buildings, but there are long stretches of streetscape without any flaws.
Enjoy yourself!
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Eventually the State can Take over the “ Superman” building from the snake oil salesman-owner and house the archives in a portion of that on the upper floors.
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That would be a good idea, but I would not want to see the residential proposal abandoned, however correct you may be in your description of its owner.
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Hello, I love your blogs. I am visiting Providence over the holiday weekend, do you have any must see architecture buildings?
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Dear Hasheem. I would certainly try to view the Rhode Island State Capitol. It is not necessary to go inside, but try. It might be closed for the holiday, but it is as lovely inside as outside. Also, try the Providence Athenaeum, if it is not also closed, which it might already be for scheduled repairs. More so than beautiful individual buildings, Providence has beautiful fabric. Walk or drive along Benefit Street, or in downtown along Westminster and Weybosset streets, the two core commercial streets. The place on Weybosset near the Providence River where the street curves to meet Westminster Street is glorious. Walk along the river walks, which were created in 1990-96 when the river was daylighted (they took the cover off). It is largely traditional in its approach, and so much more elegant than most waterfronts built in the last three or four decades around the world. If you drive around on College Hill, across the Providence River from downtown, you will see how lovely an historical neighborhood can be. But the downtown is rarer: It is the only entirely preserved commercial district (and so designated) in the country. There are inseensitive buildings, but there are long stretches of streetscape without any flaws.
Enjoy yourself!
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Awesome! I am excited!
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