Skip to main content

Collection of Rhode Island architecture from the National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey records

 Collection
Identifier: 002-03-02

Scope and Contents

The Collection of Rhode Island architecture from the National Park Service Historic American Buildings Survey records contains data sheets, photographs, and architectural drawings related to historical buildings in Rhode Island with the majority located in Providence. The majority of records and images are copies of originals housed at the Library of Congress, however, additional photographic prints by Mary Gowdy of the Providence Preservation Society are included.

Dates

  • 1934 - 1970
  • Majority of material found within 1958 - 1962

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

PPL does not claim copyright to this item. Users of this item are responsible for determining copyright restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

The Collection of Rhode Island architecture from the National Park Service Historic American Buildings Survey records contains copies of photographs and records that were created as part of the Library of Congress Historical American Buildings Survey. The Survey began in 1933 through cooperative agreements with the National Park Service, Library of Congress and the private sector. Charles E. Peterson of the National Park Service submitted the proposal in 1933 and HABS became a permanent National Park Service program in July 1934. The photographs in the HABS-RI Collection were taken by Laurence E. Tilley and G.H. Paine. Additionally, photographs taken by Mary A. Gowdy of the Providence Preservation Society are included with the Survey records. Copies of records and photographs related to Rhode Island residential properties were acquired by the library as part of the Rhode Island Collection in the 1960s and 70s.

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (3 boxes plus oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is organized into two main series. Series 1 includes HABS building data sheets and photographic prints and is arranged alphabetically by building name with property address and HABS number included. Series 2 includes HABS architectural drawings of residential structures and is arranged alphabetically by building name with property address. Notations indicate which files include Gowdey photographs as well as difference between the PPL records and those on the Library of Congress website.

Custodial History

Material was acquired from creator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Photographs were acquired from Library of Congress in 1962-1963; architectural drawings in 1966, and data sheets in 1975.

Existence and Location of Originals

Original materials maintained by the Library of Congress and National Park Service.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital copies of materials available via http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/

Related Materials

Related materials regarding historic buildings in RI can be found at the Providence Preservation Society, Mary A. Gowdy Library of House Histories. http://gowdey.ppsri.org/

Processing Information

The collection was processed in 2013 by Jessica Lemieux.

Title
Collection of Rhode Island architecture from the National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey records
Author
Jessica Lemieux
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Providence Public Library Repository

Contact:
150 Empire Street
Providence RI 02903 United States of America
401-455-8021