Providence Jewelry Manufacturing Historic District

The Providence Jewelry Manufacturing Historic District is an industrial area in Rhode Island that spans several city blocks and contains factory buildings, workshops, and residential structures. The multi-story stone and brick buildings stand out for their solid construction and show the labor-intensive nature of jewelry making from that era.

This district emerged in the late 1800s as a center for jewelry making when Rhode Island became the heart of the industry. The development shows how craftwork shifted toward larger-scale production, which changed American manufacturing in that period.

The buildings show federal and Greek Revival style details that reflect how 19th century craftspeople thought about design and construction. Walking through the district, you can see how these choices shaped the working spaces where jewelry makers spent their days.

Visitors can walk through the area to see the different building types and the wide variety of facades and layouts. Some structures now belong to Brown University as part of the educational campus, which means some areas may have limited or scheduled access times.

The Elm Street Machine Shop from 1848 is the oldest building in the district and was built entirely of stone, which was unusual for factory buildings of that time. Its three-story stone structure shows the thought given to permanence and durability that factory owners wanted their buildings to convey.

Location: Providence

GPS coordinates: 41.81760,-71.40922

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:09