Home for RI state archives, proposed history museum should be downtown for tourism, public | Opinion
Mary Shepard, of Providence, has studied urban planning and is a longtime historic preservationist.
The Rhode Island State Archives, currently renting space in a bland office building at 33 Broad St., Providence, is continuing its search for a building of its own which will include storage and an exciting, comprehensive history museum. A 28-member Archives Working Group, ably organized by Deputy Secretary of State Rob Rock, is seeking ideas for locations.
They’ve had two meetings since June, and are planning three more meetings open to the public: Oct. 17, Nov. 8 and Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. at locations to be determined. (For information, email rrock@sos.ri.gov, or go to the website www.sos.ri.gov.)
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The State Archives’ marvelous treasures include original copies of the Declaration of Independence, a Bill of Rights, early deeds, letters by President Abraham Lincoln and many photographs. The new museum will likely enrich its exhibits by borrowing from historical societies and museums. Thus, it can act doubly as a visitors’ center, orienting people to other parts of our state.
I hope they will repurpose an underutilized building in Providence’s historic downtown core, to have greater economic, cultural and social impact than would new construction, also being considered, near the State House on state-owned land. Downtown is near the hotels where tourists stay, and theaters, shops and restaurants which would benefit from increased business. Downtown offers a much richer visitor experience than up by the State House.
However, if there is to be new construction, an architectural competition should be held for a big, new government building. A rather sterile design from years past has already been presented but should not be considered final. New construction might also be downtown in what are now parking lots.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, mostly privately funded, is also looking for more space. Perhaps these two organizations who share a similar mission and sometimes collaborate on exhibitions, could also collaborate in their searches and find space near each other — perhaps even in the same building, such as the enormous Shepard’s building. Centrally located on Westminster and Washington streets, Shepard’s (no relation to this writer) has the advantage of already being owned by the state. As of this writing, the University of Rhode Island has begun to move out, and the building could become available.
Shepard’s offers grand entrances, an inviting sidewalk presence, and is near plentiful bus service. The archives would be safe on upper floors. Providence’s head of city planning, Joseph Mulligan, recently reassured me that the hurricane barrier will be checked and reinforced, so our historic city will be safe.
Other underutilized buildings — though my list is incomplete — include the beautiful old former Providence Journal building on Westminster Street, a seemingly vacant building beside it, the high-rise Superman building at 111 Westminster St., and 50 West Exchange Terrace, part of the old Union Train Station. Perhaps some storage will still have to be off-site, as it is now. Hopefully, the public will contribute more ideas.
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To emphasize the importance of this project, Secretary of State Gregg Amore mentioned a capital budget submission of $90 million, according to the minutes from the working group’s August meeting I attended. The next meeting, on Oct. 17, hopefully will see greater public engagement. A great idea might come from anywhere, and anyone can attend.
Since this museum is for the people more than the legislators, I hope it will be located downtown, where the public will enjoy it most and where it would benefit and boost the city as a whole.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: A brave new Rhode Island State Archives & History Museum
