Rumford Chemical Works and Mill House Historic District

Rumford Chemical Works and Mill House Historic District is an industrial site in East Providence with structures from the 1800s. The complex includes a three-story brick warehouse built in 1895 and multiple wood-frame buildings along Newman Avenue that originally served chemical manufacturing.

The facility was established in 1857 and initially produced calcium sulfite. The works later shifted to manufacturing baking powder under a patent, becoming a major production center for this product.

The district contains worker housing duplexes along North Broadway that reflect how factory employees lived during the 1800s. These buildings show the everyday layout of a neighborhood built around industrial work.

The site is partially accessible to the public today as it houses various local businesses and residential spaces. Visitors can view the exterior of the historic buildings and explore the industrial architecture from different angles along Newman Avenue and North Broadway.

The complex preserves the original layout of a 1800s chemical plant across roughly 8.5 acres. The buildings display Queen Anne architectural elements, which were uncommon in industrial complexes of that era and show how the works blended beauty with practical design.

Location: East Providence

GPS coordinates: 41.83940,-71.35440

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44