Rhode Island State Archives
On March 16, 2020, Governor Raimondo announced that the State Offices were closed to the public, which includes the State Archives. Our team of archivists will continue to provide reference and general assistance by phone and email. Some of the State Archives’ resources are available digitally through the Online Catalog, and Digital Archives, which are continuously updated with new content from the collection. The State Archives is home to more than 10 million letters, photographs, and important state documents that form a permanent, tangible record of Rhode Island’s rich history.
Discover your Family Story
Research and request vital records, census, and military records to build your family tree.
Discover RI’s Story
Access manuscripts, photographs, and historic documents that tell the story of Rhode Islanders.
Women's Suffrage in RI
-
First Suffrage Petition, E.B. Chace, 1867 -
History of the RI Equal Suffrage Association, 1893 -
Excerpt from the RIESA journals, 1888 -
The Woman Citizen Publication, 1905
State Archives 2019 Annual Report
Learn more about the State Archives and our rich Rhode Island history in the 2019 Annual Report.
Field Trips to the State Archives
Introduce your students to primary sources and see some of our state’s most important documents.
Events and
Programs
View our offering of free events to explore first hand our collections and the stories they tell.
Managing Gov Records
Review resources to help State Agencies care for government records.
Visit the State Archives
VISIT US
Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Free and open to the public
337 Westminster St., Providence
PARKING: Free, two-hour validated parking at Down City Parking on the corner of Westminster & Snow Streets.