Sayles Memorial Hall

Sayles Memorial Hall is a university building with Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, a T-shaped layout, and granite construction with brownstone details. The roof combines hipped and gabled sections that define the building's distinctive silhouette.

William F. Sayles donated funds in 1878 to build this memorial honoring his son William Clark Sayles, who died during his university studies. The construction followed the popular Romanesque Revival style of that period and soon became a landmark on campus.

The main auditorium displays 35 portraits of university leaders, including Ruth Simmons, the first Black woman in this collection. The space serves as a gathering place for academic meetings and ceremonial events that shape the institution's shared identity.

The building is typically accessible during the academic year and sits at the center of the College Hill neighborhood. Visitors should be aware that ongoing classes and events may affect access to certain areas inside.

Inside is a Hutchings-Votey organ from 1903 that hosts regular performances, including a traditional midnight concert on Halloween. This instrument represents a notable example of organ building craft from the turn of the 20th century.

Location: Providence

Inception: 1880s

Architectural style: Richardsonian Romanesque

Part of: Brown University, College Hill Historic District

GPS coordinates: 41.82625,-71.40258

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:41