Providence Athenaeum

251 Benefit Street
Providence,
Rhode Island

Phone:401-421-6970
Email: Use the online form to contact this property
Web Site: http://www.providenceathenaeum.org

The Providence Athenaeum is an independent member-suported library, open to the public and was found in 1836. It is housed in a granite Greek Revival structure designed by William Strickland of Philadelphia, with additions by Norman Isham and Warren Platner. Stephen Hopkins, Moses Brown, and Silas Downer (who served as a librarian) were all active in the library in the Providence Library Company in the 18th century. In the ninteenth-century Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Whitman carried on their courtship in the stacks. The Sayles Gorham Children's Library features books, movies, music and programs for infants through teens. Changing exhibitions of rare books and artists' works are on display in the Charles and Deborah Philbrick Rare Book Library. The Athenaeum offers cultural programming, lectures, readings, theatrical presentations, musical performances, and more for all ages.

Services / Features / Restrictions: Internet, Smoke Free, Free Admission, Attraction, Cultural, Of Interest to Children, Pets Allowed, Reservations Required for Groups, Smoke Free

Handicap Service: Special Arrangements Upon Request