about the committee
The Rhode Island State House Restoration Committee was originally established through a 1992 Executive Order by then-Governor Bruce Sundlun as a non-profit organization with no political affiliation. The Committee was created to support the “restoration, preservation, interpretation, betterment and benefit of the Rhode Island State House.” The Committee solicits and accepts charitable contributions from individuals, estates, corporations, and foundations, with the proceeds of such gift income to be used exclusively for the special attention to and support of restoring and preserving the building’s architectural character and its collections. Committee members are “civic-minded individuals who have an interest in historical and architectural restoration and preservation” and are appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island.
Since its inception, the Committee has raised funds to undertake major and minor projects within the building, including projects as large as the restoration of the magnificent State Reception Room and as small as repairing to working order the original three clocks located in the House and Senate legislative chambers and the State Library. Most recently, the Committee worked closely with legislative and gubernatorial leadership and a team of architects, contractors, and specialists within state government on a significant project to do much needed repairs, upgrades, and restorations to both legislative chambers and to the third-floor public galleries. Great attention was given to historical documents and photographs that provided details on the original specifications of the two chambers. Where necessary, research was done regarding historical features at the time of the building’s original construction to ensure period-correctness and adherence to the schemes intended by McKim, Mead & White. This significant restoration project could not begin until the end of the 2019 legislative session on June 30. Under tight time constraints and the huge efforts of all involved, the project was successfully completed by December 31, allowing the renovated chambers to be ready for the January 2 opening of the new legislative session.