American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter

Architectural association, Rhode Island

Records, 1866-1971

Size: 8 linear feet

Catalog number: MSS 154

Processed by: Karen Eberhart, November 2001

©Rhode Island Historical Society

Manuscripts Division

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) was founded in 1857 in New York City and has grown to a national organization with chapters in every state. The Rhode Island Chapter was the seventh to be admitted into membership with six charter members in November, 1875. They met in Providence and distinguished themselves immediately by drafting the first building code for the city before the year was out.

The object of the AIA and its chapters is to improve the reputation and professional standards of architecture and architects. Toward this end, the Rhode Island Chapter has been involved in numerous civic improvement campaigns. Members submitted proposals to the City of Providence in 1906 for improving the layout of streets surrounding the State House. They have lobbied for the survival of historic buildings in Rhode Island and paid attention to building codes and construction practices for new structures. The local chapter monitors members within Rhode Island to ensure that they operate their businesses ethically and within the regulations drawn up by the AIA. To promote the profession they also organized exhibitions to showcase the work of their colleagues and educate the public. Prominent members of the architectural community in Rhode Island represented in this collection include John Hutchins Cady, Norman Isham, Wallis Eastburne Howe, Frederic Ellis Jackson, Alfred Stone, Charles E. Carpenter and Edmund R. Willson.

This collection encompasses the years 1866-1971 with the bulk of the material concentrated in the years 1900-1970. It is organized into six series.

The minutes provide detailed accounts of the actions and activities of the chapter. The chapter meetings often include reports from the various committees and the president.

The membership files do not include every member of the society and seem to have been created sporadically. There is no set type of information kept in the files. Some files contain correspondence regarding that person's application for membership. Many files include biographical information compiled upon the death of the person. To determine if a person was a member consult the membership lists in Box 3, folder 7.

This series contains the financial records kept by the Treasurer and, during the 1960s, the Executive Secretary including monthly reports, membership dues, account books and correspondence.

This series covers the entire range of chapter activities much of which were carried out by the various committees. The lighter side of being an architect is seen in the file on Entertainments which contains original scripts written and performed by members of the chapter at the Christmas parties. Noted authors are John Hutchins Cady and Norman Isham.

The correspondence files include letters to and from the Secretary, Executive Secretary, President and Vice President. The files often include committee reports sent to one of the officers.

The material on national activities covers the years 1866-1970 while the regional material spans 1924-1970. Of note are the chapter reports prepared by the local chapter and sent to the national office. They provide a succinct report of their activities for the year as well as list the members. The analysis of the chapter reports in the 1960's shows how the individual state chapters compare to one another and synthesizes the work being done around the country.

Oversize 1962 - Consolidation of the First, Third and Fourth Naval Districts map