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 that are curious about the buildings, historic sites, cultural landscapes, and intangible heritage that make Lil' Rhody distinct.
In a state where the majority of our buildings are 50+ years-old, historic places are in constant use. Not just as museums, but as homes, schools, storefronts, houses of worship, and commercial spaces -- 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!
NOTICE: Old State House Temporarily Closed
The Old State House at 150 Benefit Street is currently under construction and closed into mid-2025. The RIHPHC staff remains active, working from a temporary office until construction is complete, but visitors and researchers should be advised that the building and a good portion of our files and records are inaccessible.