Historical & Preservation Societies - Rhode Island Resources - Community Users

Historical and Preservation Societies: Providence

How to Research Your Home in Rhode Island
Detailed document created by the Newport Restoration Foundation. Includes tips for researching in RI in general, in Newport, and in Providence.

Guide to Providence Architecture
Updated, online version of the guide originally published in 2003 by the Providence Preservation Society and the American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter. Written by William Mack Woodward.
Mary A. Gowdey Library of House Histories
Providence Preservation Society database of information about selected historic houses in the city.
Preservation Society of Newport County
Information about the famous mansions of Newport, Rhode Island.
Preserve Rhode Island
Local organization dedicated to the preservation of Rhode Island historical architecture.
Providence Preservation Society
Important resource for Providence historical architecture, founded in 1956 to prevent demolition on College Hill.
Providence Preservation Society Slide Collection
Set of digitized slides on Google Drive documenting Providence architecture from the 1950s to 1990s. Arranged alphabetically by street name.
Rhode Island Black Heritage Society
Society for the preservation of historical materials relating to African Americans in Rhode Island, including paintings and other artworks.
Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries
Includes database to gravestones and cemeteries plus other information.
Rhode Island Historical Society
Resource for all of Rhode Island's history, not just architecture.
Rhode Island Historical Society: Master List of Finding Aids
The Society's manuscript collections arranged by subject.

Downtown Providence. Postcard, ca. 1910-1920. Luna Insight Collection.

Barrington Preservation Society
Historical society for the town of Barrington.
Bristol Historical & Preservation Society
Located in an 1828 jail, includes historical collections and administers a house plaque program.
Blackstone Valley Historical Society
"Dedicated to the exploration, preservation, and appreciation of the Blackstone Valley heritage...comprised of six communities: Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland, North Smithfield and Woonsocket."
Directory of Historical Repositories
Directory of repositories that hold historical records in RI, as determined by a survey of the RI Historical Records Advisory Board.
Historic New England
"Explore historic homes, farms, and landscapes throughout the region."
Newport Historical Society
The society's museum is located in the Brick Market.
Newport Restoration Foundation
Founded by Doris Duke to preserve the architectural culture of Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island.

Rhode Island History Journal -- Online
Searchable interface from the Rhode Island Historical Society with full text downloads from 1942 to two years ago. Also searchable through America: History and Life database.
Rhode Island History Journal -- print edition
Journal of the Rhode Island Historical Society, this is indexed in the America: History & Life database. The Brown Library has print copies of this journal.
Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society
Earlier title for the journal of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Print volumes are located in the Brown Library collections.

Ancestry Library
This collection includes public records from the U.S. Census; military, court, land, and probate records; vital records; and more for genealogical and historical research.

With more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases, Ancestry Library includes records from the United States Census; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more!