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State of Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

Old State House Reopens May 4

Published on Friday, May 01, 2026

Historic building where the Act of Renunciation was passed reopens after months of renovations

(Providence) On Monday, May 4, the Old State House at 150 Benefit Street in Providence will celebrate Rhode Island’s 250th “Independence Day” by reopening its doors to the public. The Old State House was completed in 1762 and is one of Rhode Island’s five original colonial state houses (sometimes called “colony houses”). After almost two years of restoration and interior upgrades, the state office building and historic site will be more accessible than ever.

May 4 is also significant to RI250 and America’s Semiquincentennial activity this year. 250 years ago to the day – on May 4, 1776 – the Rhode Island General Assembly passed the Act of Renunciation at the Old State House, rejecting allegiance to the British Crown. Rhode Island was the first of the 13 colonies to sever legal ties with King George III, two months ahead of the Declaration of Independence. This act inspired the state’s later motto, “First in war, last in peace.”

The state-owned building has been the headquarters for the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (HPHC) for the last 50 years, and underwent a long-planned renovation over the last 20 months. Accessibility measures, systems upgrades, and cosmetic improvements were made to the 264-year-old building to keep it serviceable as both a state office and a historic site. The project received a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures grant and a $750,000 Semiquincentennial Grant from the National Park Service, in addition to state support and other funding. 

Senator Jack Reed was critical in securing the federal funding, commenting, “I am pleased to help deliver federal funding to preserve the Old State House, one of just six surviving Colonial-era state houses in America. This federal funding will support research and restoration efforts. It will complement continued state restoration investments in saving this historic, architectural, and cultural gem.” 

Several events at the Old State House next week will celebrate both the building reopening and the 250th anniversary of the Act of Renunciation:

  •         Ribbon Cutting at the Old State House, 150 Benefit Street -- May 4, 2:30 pm. Featuring remarks from Representative Gabe Amo and other speakers. Media is invited to attend. 

  •         Independence Day Open House, Old State House, 150 Benefit Street -- May 4, 3:00-6:00 pm. All are welcome. Brief remarks at 3:45, featuring a reading of the Act of Renunciation by Joe Wilson Jr. Presented in partnership with the City of Providence. At 4:00, the bells will ring at the site of each of Rhode Island’s five colonial state houses in Bristol, East Greenwich, Newport, Providence, and South Kingstown.

  •         May Breakfast: Preservation Edition, Old State House, 150 Benefit Street -- May 8, 8:00-9:30 am. All are welcome to a community breakfast flavored with preservation topics. Come meet your neighbors, talk shop, and tell us what places you care about! Light breakfast refreshments provided.

These events conclude Independence Weekend, coordinated by the RI250 Commission, and several days of commemorative programs around the state. HPHC will hold a scholarly presentation about the history of the Old State House, including new research funded by the Semiquincentennial Grant, on October 20.

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