History contributes to a fuller future
ArtInRuins documents the architectural landscape to collect the oral, written, and photographic history of important places in Rhode Island. We are a safe space for storytelling, memory-sharing, and dreaming about the future of the built environment. More about A.I.R.
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458 properties and 12 Essays with 7,567 images. Browse more from our Categories and Tags.
Demolition Alert
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Demolition Alert
Updated 24 February, 2023: Realtor Scott Aceto received approval to demolish a former Federal Hill tire shop with the hopes of building a boutique hotel with commercial space on the site
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Added 15 June, 2026: A medium-size two-story mill building moves from a life as an industrial manufacturing company to an evangelical Baptist church
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Added 25 May, 2026: If it weren’t for high interest rates, this complex of more than eight structures could have been condominiums instead of mixed-use commercial space
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Added 12 May, 2026: A five-story late 19th-century commercial building with one of the few cast iron façades in the city
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Added 26 April, 2026: A large complex of several structures built over the course of about 50 years that remains industrial and commericial in its tenant mix
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Added 25 April, 2026: Three-generations of neighborhood short-order cooks made this tiny place a home for regulars over the course of 50 years
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Updated 22 April, 2026: Added a photo from the PPS Slide Collection which partially shows the building and it s McDonald’s branding
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The Art of Ruins — This week’s artful image
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Added 21 April, 2026: A more than 100-year old building has been home to one owner and one set of businesses for over 50 years.
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Updated 19 April, 2026: Added two new photos with the recently added replacement windows
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Added 13 March, 2026: An over 225 year old mansion on a large lot is about to get new neighbors through an arduous historic review process
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Updated 9 March, 2026: Added new photos of the recent demolition to the western wing of the forner Hospital
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Updated 21 February, 2026: Added three new photos of the building under renovation into apartments
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Updated 21 February, 2026: Added a recent photo of the property now that it has been purchased.
#WhatAreTheyBuilding: Under Construction
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Updated 19 May, 2026: Added new images of the construction of phase 2
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Updated 14 April, 2026: Added two images of the finished construction
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Updated 14 April, 2026: Added two new images of the finalized construction
Also! The list of new building proposals we are keeping an eye on.
Recent Anecdotes Subscribe
2,032 anecdotes from people just like you.
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Last weekend I went to an Estate sale in Canby, Oregon. I purchased a tin container with paint brushes in it. On the front was a brass label that had Callendar, McAuslan, Troup Providence RI. I was curious what/who that was and I found this website. I really enjoyed reading ab...
Glenda Darnall on Callendar, McAuslan & Troup Store and William H. Low Estate Building -
Thank you so much for all that beautiful information I walked around that neighborhood for 14 years working for Mars Plastics and took pictures of all the buildings some of the buildings are not there no more. I have some videos and pictures of the old building that’s now gone...
Jonathan R Farias on Crown Worsted Mills -
My Great Grandfather Michael Shannon and a couple of his children worked here for many years, late 19th century. For a period they lived in company housing, The Blocks.
Thomas O’Brien on Wanskuck Mills -
“MEET ME AT THE MET” Where’s my t-shirt? The old one disintegrated!!!
Bob Boegler on Met Cafe, Friendship Street -
Im one of the Lincoln McDevitts. Im the grandson of John E. McDevitt. I remember my grandfather telling me about the store when I was a kid in the 80s.
Joseph McDevitt on McDevitt Building -
I remember the brewery operational in the 70s. I remember the once maximum jail off 95 in Warwick with the lights lit when we used to go to my aunts house in Warwick. I did enter that jail a few years ago and found some handcuffs that I did keep, anyway, I remember my parents ...
Raymond L on United Traction Company Depot and Repair Barn -
I was an Aircraft Electrician E5 stationed at Quonset Point 1964 through 1967, working in the Aircraft Maintenance hanger. My job was diagnosing and repairing autopilot and navigation systems, mostly for P2 and P3 antisubmarine patrol aircraft, but included whatever airplanes ...
James Curran on Quonset Point Naval Air Station -
I’ve been part of the carpentry team building out Green Line. There will be a scaled down Soda fountain and retail area at the North Main entrance. Behind that will be 3 apartments, 3 on the 2nd flr and one on the top floor. (via Facebook)
Jayson Salvi’s Hand Painted Signs on North Main Street, #905
