PVD: Where it Used to Be Walking Tour

Welcome to PVD: Where it Used to Be. This self-guided walking tour takes you on a journey through downtown Providence, exploring the history of current and former historic landmarks around this area of the city. This free public program is organized by the Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea and the Rhode Island State Archives.

1. The first stop is 283 Westminster Street, formerly known as the Hoppin Homestead or Hoppin Mansion building. This four-story mansion was built in 1878 and was the original home of Bryant and Stratton Business College, now Bryant University, and the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association. The location is currently a parking lot for Down City Parking.

2. 215 Weybosset Street was the home to the still-operating Reed and Barton Silverware, a dentist, and Sharp and Company Tailors. Now, this building houses, among other things, a Pizza Queen frequented by the college students and professionals who work in the area.

3. The Outlet Company was formed in 1891 when brothers Joseph and Leon Samuels opened The Outlet, a department store. The Outlet’s flagship location expanded across 168–176 Westminster Street, now Johnson and Wales University Commons.

4. The Teutonia House, located at 156 Weybosset Street, opened in 1896 as a popular restaurant, complete with a summer garden and saloon! The Teutonia House was part of the sprawling Outlet Company department store, and eventually became the site of the Johnson and Wales University Admissions Building.

5. Now the Yena Center of Johnson and Wales University, the picturesque Narragansett Hotel was located at 95–97 Dorrance Street. The hotel’s garage across the street is still in use today and serves as a reminder of the beauty of this former Providence landmark.

6. The famous Turks Head building was constructed between 1912 and 1913 after the destruction of the Neptune Express. This now iconic landmark is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the country and sits at the intersection of Weyboesst and Westminster Streets.

7. Butler Exchange, another early home of Bryant University, Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association, and commercial shopping establishment was demolished in 1925. At the far corner of 111 Westminster Street sits the Industrial National Bank Building, known as the Superman Building in Rhode Island.

8. Westminster Street is the location of the now-vacant Providence Journal building. Back in 1866, when the original photo was taken, it was home to Nesbitt J. Bowes Boot Manufacturer, JH Bongarts Watchmaker, and other tailors and clothing stores, similar to the variety of stores on Westminster Street today.

9. Where you’re currently standing is a view of the Rhode Island State Archives in 1950. 337 Westminster Street was housed in the Enterprise Stones, Inc building and was originally a shoe store!

The Rhode Island State Archives is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located at 337 Westminster Street in Providence.