Rhode Island State House
{{Short description|State capitol building of the U.S. state of Rhode Island}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Rhode Island State House
| nrhp_type =
| image = 2021 Rhode Island State House from east.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = South facade
| coordinates = {{coord|41|49|51|N|71|24|54|W|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-marker = building
| mapframe-zoom = 12
|mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing Rhode Island State Capitol’s location
| location = 82 Smith St.
Providence, Rhode Islandhttps://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/civics-and-education/ri-state-house/visitor-information
| nearest_city =
| area = Downtown and Smith Hill
| built = 1891–1901{{cite aiaprov|pages=107-109}}
| architect = McKim, Mead & White
| architecture = Neoclassical
| designated =
| added = April 28, 1970
| established =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| refnum = 70000002
| mpsub =
}}
The Rhode Island State House, the capitol of the state of Rhode Island, is located at 82 Smith Street just below the crest of Smith Hill, on the border of downtown in Providence. It is a neoclassical building designed by McKim, Mead & White which features the fourth largest structural-stone dome in the world, topped by a gilded statue of "The Independent Man", representing freedom and independence. The building houses the Rhode Island General Assembly – the state House of Representatives is located in the west wing, and the Senate in the east – and the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and general treasurer of Rhode Island. Other state offices are located in separate buildings on a campus just north of the State House.
The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
History
File:Rhode_Island_State_House,_1898.jpg
The current Rhode Island State House is Rhode Island's seventh state house and the second in Providence after the Old State House. The structure was designed by McKim, Mead & White, a prominent firm from New York. The building was constructed from 1891 to 1901. The structure underwent a major renovation in the late 1990s.{{cite web |url=http://www.cupola.com/html/bldgstru/statecap/cap09.htm |title= Cupolas of Capitalism: State Capitol Building Histories: States from P to S |publisher=Cupola |access-date=January 10, 2014}}
A private organization, the State House Restoration Society, raises funds and advocates for the landmark building.
Architecture
The Rhode Island State House is constructed of {{convert|327000|cuft|m3}} of white Georgia marble, 15 million bricks, and {{convert|1309|short ton|long ton}} of iron floor beams.{{cite web |url=http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |title=Facts and Figures |publisher=State of Rhode Island General Assembly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515120734/http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/FactFig/ |archive-date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=January 10, 2014}} The dome is "the fourth largest self-supported marble dome in the world".{{cite web |url=http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-do/heritage-trails/providence-heritage-trail/ |title=The Providence Heritage Trail |publisher=VisitRhodeIsland.com (Rhode Island Tourism Division) |access-date=January 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714172538/http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-do/heritage-trails/providence-heritage-trail/ |archive-date=July 14, 2012 }}
The chamber of the Rhode Island Senate is located in the east wing of the building, and the chamber of the Rhode Island House of Representatives is located in the west wing. Other notable rooms include the rotunda (beneath the dome), the State Library (north end), and the State Room (south end). The State Room is an entrance area for the office of the governor and contains a full-scale portrait of George Washington by Rhode Island native Gilbert Stuart. This room is also where the governor has press conferences and bill signings at the State House.
The State House was one of the first public buildings to use electricity. It is currently lit by 109 floodlights and two searchlights at night.
''The Independent Man'' (1899)
{{Multiple image
| header = The Independent Man
| align = right
| direction =
| total_width = 280
| perrow = 2/2
| image1 = The_Independent_Man_atop_the_Rhode_Island_State_House_(cropped).jpg
| caption1 = Perched atop the State House
| image2 = Bronze head of The Independent Man.jpg
| caption2 = Cast of the head made in 1976
| image3= The_Independent_Man_in_the_Rhode_Island_State_House.jpg
| caption3 = Before 2024 restoration
| image4= The Independent Man after restoration.jpg
| caption4 = After restoration
}}
On top of the dome stands a gold-covered bronze statue of a male figure known as The Independent Man. The statue, originally named "Hope," was designed by George Brewster, cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company,{{cite news |last1=DaSilva |first1=melanie |title=Independent Man to be taken down for repairs |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/mckee-to-make-announcement-regarding-the-independent-man/ |access-date=16 September 2023 |agency=Nexstar Media Inc |publisher=WPRI |date=15 September 2023}} and installed in 1899.{{Cite web|title=The Man Atop the Statehouse|url=http://www.rhody.com/the-man-atop-the-statehouse|access-date=2021-05-21|website=www.rhody.com|language=en}} The statue weighs more than {{convert|500|lbs|kg}}, is {{convert|11|ft|m}} tall, and stands {{convert|278|ft|m}} above the ground. The Independent Man represents freedom and independence and alludes to the independent spirit which led Roger Williams to settle and establish Providence Plantations and later the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
In 1976, the statue was removed from its perch for restoration and repair. Workers cast a full-size replica, which was installed at the Warwick Mall, as well as two replicas of the statue's head, before returning the original to its home atop the State House.
A 2023 drone inspection revealed damage to the statue's marble base.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Patrick |title=The iconic Independent Man statue on the RI State House is coming down for restoration. What we know. |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/09/15/independent-man-statue-on-ri-state-house-coming-down-for-restoration/70862271007/ |access-date=16 September 2023 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=15 September 2023}} In December 2023 the statue was lowered to the ground via crane so that the base could be repaired. The statue was briefly displayed inside the State House for public viewing, then was moved to the North Main Street armory for repair and restoration.{{cite news |last1=DaSilva |first1=Melanie |title=Independent Man taken down for restoration |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/independent-man-gets-taken-down-december-5-2023/ |access-date=16 December 2023 |publisher=WPRI News |date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216185511/https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/providence/independent-man-gets-taken-down-december-5-2023/ |archive-date=16 December 2023 |location=Providence, RI}}{{cite news |author1=NBC 10 NEWS |title=Independent Man moved from State House to armory for restoration |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/independent-man-statue-rhode-island-state-house-done-north-main-street-armory-repair-restoration-marble-base-gold-plating-leaf-wear-tear-january-9-2024 |access-date=16 April 2024 |agency=WJAR news |date=9 January 2024 |location=Providence, Rhode Island |quote=PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Independent Man made the move Tuesday from the Rhode Island State House to the North Main Street Armory, where the statue will be repaired and restored.}}
=Materials=
The statue is cast in bronze, and was originally covered in gold leaf. During the 1970s restoration the statue was covered in gold plating instead of gold leaf. Restorers planned to apply gold leaf on top of the existing gold plating during the 2023-2024 restoration. As the gold leaf will wear over time, the gold plating will be visible.{{cite web |title=Governor McKee Unveils Independent Man Inside the State House for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years |url=https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-unveils-independent-man-inside-state-house-first-time-nearly-50-years |website=Governor Dan McKee |publisher=State of Rhode Island |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216191745/https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-unveils-independent-man-inside-state-house-first-time-nearly-50-years |archive-date=16 December 2023 |location=Providence, Rhode Island |date=6 December 2023}}
{{clear}}
Events and exhibits
=Royal Charter=
The original Rhode Island Royal Charter of 1663 is on permanent display in a small museum at the State House. The exhibit was redesigned and rededicated in January 2016.{{cite news |last1=Tefft |first1=Artie |title=Rhode Island Charter gets new display |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/rhode-island-charter-gets-new-display |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=WJAR News |date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818122530/https://turnto10.com/news/local/rhode-island-charter-gets-new-display |archive-date=18 August 2016}}
=Gettysburg Gun=
A 12-pound bronze civil war-era Napoleon cannon known as The Gettysburg Gun stands just inside the first floor entrance. During the artillery barrage before Pickett's Charge, a Confederate cannonball lodged itself in the muzzle of the gun used by Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Regiment, putting it out of service. The gun was first displayed in Washington, D.C.; in 1874, Rhode Islanders requested that it be brought home, where it was installed at the State House. In 1988, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the battle, the gun was temporarily returned to the exact spot in Gettysburg National Military Park where it had been disabled.{{cite news |last1=Kozma |first1=Carol |title=If this gun could talk |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/military/2017/07/02/on-gettysburg-anniversary-cannon-in-ri-has-story-to-tell/20384933007/ |access-date=16 December 2023 |publisher=The Providence Journal |date=2 July 2017}}
=Christmas at the State House=
File:2024 RI State House Christmas Tree.jpg
It is an annual State House tradition to feature a Christmas tree and community and cultural holiday displays each December. A Fraser fir or Balsam fir is erected in the rotunda and decorated. The tree, donated by a local family or tree farm, is typically between 17 and 25 feet tall.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Patrick |title=State House Christmas tree didn't measure up, so it got replaced |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161122/state-house-christmas-tree-didnt-measure-up-so-it-got-replaced--video |access-date=24 November 2016 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=22 November 2016}} Local media will sometimes feature stories about problems with Rhode Island's state tree, occasionally even meriting front page treatment:{{cite news |last1=Amaral |first1=Brian |title=Buckle up, Rhode Island: It's time to light the State House Christmas tree |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20181128/buckle-up-rhode-island-its-time-to-light-state-house-christmas-tree |access-date=30 November 2018 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=28 November 2018}}
- In 2005, the tree was removed from the rotunda after a treatment with flame retardant caused the needles to fall out.
- In 2007, a "sickly-looking" tree was replaced a few weeks before Christmas.
- In 2011 Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and others objected to the wording on tree-lighting ceremony invitations, which referred to the tree as a "holiday" tree. Protestors at the tree-lighting ceremony lit a protest tree of their own and sang “O, Christmas Tree,” drowning out the official music provided by a local children's chorus.
- In 2012, the official tree lighting ceremony was canceled.
- In 2013, Governor Chafee changed the wording to "Christmas" tree.{{cite news |last1=McKinney |first1=Mike |title=After 'holiday tree' controversy, Chafee now calls RI State House tree a 'Christmas tree' |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131202-after-holiday-tree-controversy-chafee-now-calls-ri-state-house-tree-a-christmas-tree.ece |access-date=24 November 2016 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=2 December 2013}}
- In 2016, a 14-foot Fraser fir was deemed too small for the rotunda. A replacement 20-foot tree was placed in the rotunda, and the smaller tree moved to the south steps.
- In 2017, the rotunda's 25-foot Fraser fir made national headlines when it began dropping needles "at an alarming rate," after being on display for three weeks.{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=John |title=After A Moment In The Spotlight, RI Statehouse Christmas Tree Comes Down |url=http://ripr.org/post/after-moment-spotlight-ri-statehouse-christmas-tree-comes-down |access-date=19 December 2017 |publisher=Rhode Island Public Radio |date=18 December 2017}} The New York Post called it "the saddest state capital Christmas tree." The sickly tree was replaced with a smaller (12-foot) tree.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Patrick |title=Dead Christmas tree is replaced at R.I. State House |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20171218/dead-christmas-tree-is-replaced-at-ri-state-house--videos |access-date=20 December 2017 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=18 December 2017}}
- The 2018 tree was an 18-foot tall Douglas fir donated by a South Kingstown tree farm.
- For 2019, state staff assembled and decorated 18-foot artificial tree, described as a "replica of a California Baby Redwood."{{cite news |last1=Gregg |first1=Katherine |title=This time an artificial Christmas tree will spruce up the State House |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191201/this-time-artificial-christmas-tree-will-spruce-up-state-house |access-date=2 December 2019 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=1 December 2019}}
- After protests disrupted the official tree lighting ceremonies in 2021 and 2022, Governor Dan McKee decided to hold the 2023 and 2024 celebrations privately, inviting only foster children and their families from the Department of Children, Youth and Families.{{cite news |author1=NBC10 News |title=Gov. McKee says State House Christmas tree lighting will remain private |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/gov-mckee-state-house-christmas-tree-lighting-will-remain-private-disruption-homeless-advocates-protest-children-family-celebrations-december-6-2024 |access-date=29 December 2024 |publisher=WJAR News |date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207103728/https://turnto10.com/news/local/gov-mckee-state-house-christmas-tree-lighting-will-remain-private-disruption-homeless-advocates-protest-children-family-celebrations-december-6-2024 |archive-date=7 December 2024 |location=Providence}}
Since 2014, holiday displays from "any Rhode Island area-based religious or secular group" have been featured on the first and second floors.{{cite news |last1=Gregg |first1=Katherine |title=Holiday displays at the State House: Open to all, but follow the rules |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20151127/NEWS/151129417 |access-date=24 November 2016 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |date=27 November 2015}} Participating groups have included local religious, ethnic, and secular organizations.
In popular culture
Gallery
File:Main entrance of Rhode Island State House crop.jpg|North facade (2014)
File:Rhode Island State House - Atrium & Dome.jpg|Rotunda ceiling, under the dome
File:Rhode Island State House - State Room ceiling.jpg|State Room ceiling
File:Gallery view of the Rhode Island State House - House Chamber.jpg|House chamber
File:Rhode_Island_State_House_-_the_Senate_Chamber.jpg|Senate chamber
File:Rhode Island State House - Library.jpg|Rhode Island State Library
File:Nathanael Greene Statue at RI State House.jpg|Statue of Nathanael Greene by Henri Schönhardt (1931)
File:State House at Sunset - Providence - RI - USA (7097632111).jpg|The state house dome, the 4th largest structural stone dome in the world
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Rhode Island State House}}
- [https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/civics-and-education/ri-state-house/state-house-tours Rhode Island State House Visitor Center]
- [https://www.rihs.org/ Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS)]
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{{succession box|
before=Unknown|
title=Tallest Building in Providence|
years=1904–1927
68 m|
after=Industrial Trust Building}}
{{s-end}}
{{Rhode Island}}
{{US State Capitols}}
{{Providence skyscrapers}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island
Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island
Category:Government of Rhode Island
Category:McKim, Mead & White buildings
Category:Neoclassical architecture in Rhode Island
Category:Government buildings with domes
Category:State capitols in the United States
Category:Tourist attractions in Providence, Rhode Island
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island