Rhode Island was the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. In 1790 Samuel Slater built the first successful machine powered textile mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From then on Rhode Island remained at the forefront of the ensuing industrial revolution and the rest of the Northeast followed in Rhode Island's example. In addition to developing the first textile mill in the United States, Rhode Island is also home to many inventions such as the Corliss Steam Engine. Furthermore, Providence became Rhode Island's industrial center. In 1920 Providence employed one hundred and forty thousand people, more than half of the State's workforce. It also contained some of the largest and most productive factories in the country, such as Brown and Sharpe in Providence, the largest supplier of machine tools in the nation, and Gorham Manufacturing Company, the leader in silverware production. However, following World War II, Providence's industrial prowess began to fade and it's once lively industrial sites were fast becoming landmarks of the past. Today, the majority of industrial buildings in Providence stand vacant and are at risk for vandalism and deterioration.
The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) and the Providence Preservation Society (PPS) have taken it upon themselves to save this important aspect of Rhode Island and Providence's past. In the 1980s, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission surveyed historic structures throughout Rhode Island to create awareness about the historical value and potential of the sites. The survey evaluated and collected information to be included in the Statewide Historical Preservation Report on Providence's Industrial Sites. In addition, driven by the desire to preserve Providence's rich architectural history and to update the previous study, Providence Preservation Society conducted a survey of the remaining industrial buildings in Providence in 2003. The purpose of the study is to provide documentation of industrial and commercial sites in Providence to aid authorities in their review of the status of the buidlings. In their research they have counted 220+ remaining industrial buildings that were built before 1960, each in various states of reuse or vacancy. In fact, these 220+ buildings are meant to comprise the Industrial and Commercial Building District in Providence. To date, only a few of the properties surveyed have not been proposed to be incorporated into the district. Because geographic borders do not bind the district, it is considered to be the first thematic historical district in the country.
However, besides the preservationist concern for Rhode Island's rich history, the small state needs to be concerned about its economic future. As the smallest state in the country, the main question is whether Providence and Rhode Island have enough land to sustain their growing population. Are there enough industrial sites to support the growing economy? Should we reuse old historic buildings or tear down Rhode Island's history and create anew. While other states have the land option to build new buildings and keep their historic sites, Rhode Island has a small land source to work with and has to find a solution to this problem.
Many historic industrial building such as mills and factories have been abandoned in recent years and have been left to deteriorate and become vandalized. Providence and Rhode Island need to find a balance between the preservation needs and their economic future. In recent years, Providence and the state of Rhode Island have developed many programs to redevelop historic buildings for current economic and industrial reuses. Some proposed and enacted reuses include: residential use, artist lofts, office space, business incubators, retail and commercial spaces, and telecommunication firms.
This site is devoted to providing further information about buildings
that have been successfully reused, have been destroyed, and those that
still remain forgotten.