PPS's Festival of Architecture & Design: Athenaeum & Stephen Hopkins House

This program is part of Providence Preservation Society's Festival of Architecture and Design (Sep 26 - Oct 30, 2026). You can find !

Join us for a tour of two of the city’s most significant historic buildings to hear about their history and how they have been expanded and updated over the years. Our tour of the Providence Athenaeum will highlight the architectural history of the Athenaeum, showcasing the original 1836 William Strickland Building, 1917 Norman Isham addition, and the 1979 Platner Addition – this will be led by Matt Burriesci, Executive Director of the Providence Athenaeum.

We then walk a block down Benefit Street to the Stephen Hopkins House, where preservation architect Cornelis de Boer will lead a tour of the restoration project that was begun last year. The exterior of the 1708-1743 Hopkins House and surrounding fence are being restored to its appearance a hundred years ago, when the house “came to rest” here after having been rescued and moved up the hill a second time.

The Stephen Hopkins House is a Great American Treasure preserved and curated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Rhode Island since 1929.

Tickets: $35 General / $25 PPS Members

All tickets are fully refundable up to seven days in advance of each program. After that, tickets are nonrefundable because we may not be able to sell the released tickets within a short timeframe. Thanks for your understanding!