Welcome

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) is the state agency dedicated to safe-guarding and celebrating the history of all Rhode Islanders statewide. The Commission also serves as a regulatory body, research team, and advisor to residents and businesses, and convener of anyone who is curious about the buildings, historic sites, cultural landscapes, and intangible heritage that make Lil' Rhody distinct. 

In a state with some of the oldest building stock in the country, historic places are in constant use. Not just as museums, but as homes, schools, storefronts, community centers, houses of worship, and artist studios, and small businesses -- these places serve as a connection to the past, while also meeting our communities' current needs. Documenting those stories, sharing them widely, and maintaining buildings for present-day and future use is the work of historic preservation. From Adamsville to Westerly, the state is bursting with historic places, and we're Rhode Island's history people.

Let us know what places you care about, how we can help, and what stories need to be told!