Market House, Providence

Nestled in the heart of College Hill, the Market House is Providence’s brick-built blast from the past. Constructed in the 1770s and exemplifying Georgian architecture, this historic structure was originally designed to juggle commerce and civic affairs. Back then, the ground floor bustled with market vendors, while the upper floor hosted public gatherings—and probably some heated debates.

At first, the Market House was a modest two-story affair with by a low gable roof. But in 1797, it got an upgrade: a third floor was added to accommodate Rhode Island’s first Masonic Lodge. A wooden balustrade was thrown in for good measure, along with a large bull’s-eye window on the east gable and a clock on the west—though that wasn’t added until the 20th century. In true architectural fashion, the first floor’s original arcade eventually gave way to more practical windows during the 19th century.

This building wasn’t just about looking pretty. In March of 1775, a group of local patriots gathered here to protest British taxes in the most dramatic way possible: burning British tea. Later, during the American Revolution, it even served as a barracks for French soldiers stationed in the city. And if that weren’t enough civic service, the Market House pulled double duty as Providence’s City Hall from 1832 to 1878 while everyone argued over where to put a new one.

Fast forward to 1948, and the Rhode Island School of Design took ownership, with one caveat: the exterior had to be preserved. Today, the Market House is still standing strong, with plaques marking the high-water marks of hurricanes long past, reminding us that this sturdy old structure has weathered more than a few tempests.