Sitting right in the center of downtown Providence, is the ever imposing and hard to miss Rhode Island State House. Rhode Island’s current Capitol is actually its 7th iteration. The building was designed by New York architects McKim, Mead & White, in 1891. The structure finished its construction in 1901. The State House was built from 15 million white Georgia marble bricks and its dome is the fourth largest self supported marble dome in the world. Sitting on top of the dome is The Independent Man, a gold plated bronze sculpture by George Brewster. A replica of the statue can be viewed at the Warwick Mall.
Like all state Capitol buildings, the Rhode Island State House is free to visit during their hours of operation. The State House frequently hosts exhibits for the public. The original Rhode Island charter papers (1663), giving recognition to the colony of Rhode Island by King Charles II, are on permanent display in a small museum in the building.
Inside right near the first floor entrance of the State House is a 12-pound bronze Civil War–era Napoleon cannon known as The Gettysburg Gun. The gun was used at the battle of Gettysburg by the 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Regiment. During the battle, a confederate canon ball was shot directly into the gun’s muzzle, rendering it out of service.
You can visit the Rhode Island State House for free Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. You may roam the building and explore alone, or guided tours are offered for visitors who wish for a more structured experience.
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