Providence Athenaeum

Providence Athenaeum was incorporated in 1836 after two earlier institutions combined their collections. Its Benefit Street membership-library building opened in 1838 and expanded in 1914 and 1979 as the collection and services grew.Nonmembers can visit all three floors after checking in and paying the current small fee or pay-what-you-can weekday amount. Summer and regular schedules differ, especially on Sunday. The rear entrance avoids exterior stairs, but there is no elevator and internal levels require stairs. More

Providence Athenaeum was incorporated in 1836 after two earlier institutions combined their collections. Its Benefit Street membership-library building opened in 1838 and expanded in 1914 and 1979 as the collection and services grew.Nonmembers can visit all three floors after checking in and paying the current small fee or pay-what-you-can weekday amount. Summer and regular schedules differ, especially on Sunday. The rear entrance avoids exterior stairs, but there is no elevator and internal levels require stairs. More