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100 Years Celebration![]() A series of events is planned over the course of 2008 to celebrate the centennial of the Providence Federal Courthouse. GSA and its federal partner agency, the U.S. District Court, are commemorating the 100th anniversary with events that will be published here when the details are available. The Providence Post Office, Court House and Custom House was constructed in 1904-08 as the city's third federal building. Designed by the local architectural firm of Clarke & Howe, it was one of the few federal buildings of the period to be contracted to a private firm under the provisions of the Tarnsey Act. It is an exceptionally well-conceived example of the classical Beaux Arts style design favored for monumental public buildings at the turn of the century. In its day it was considered one of the finest federal buildings to be found outside of Washington DC. Its design and its siting are also noteworthy for their impact on the urban expression of Exchange Place as the civic center. The building was turned over to the GSA in January 1961, following completion of the nation's first automated post office. At that time the building was devoted primarily to judicial functions, and was renamed the Providence Federal Building and Courthouse. Reconfiguring of some interior spaces, most notably the former postal workroom, was accomplished at that time. The building was listed in the National Register in 1972, and subsequent work has respected that status. For information on its present day use, please visit the U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island website. The shortcut for this page is www.gsa.gov/r1courthouse100.
Last Reviewed 6/11/2008
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