20 years of architectural change
We document the architectural landscape and collect the oral, written, and photographic history of important places. We hope to be a safe space for storytelling, memory-sharing, and dreaming about the future of the built environment in northern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. More about A.I.R.
Recently updated Properties
Updated 28 November, 2021: An unassuming former ice cream factory on a busy road through a residential neighborhood
Updated 25 November, 2021: This over 190 year old structure survived 170 years as an indoor mall but now is a collection of retail and micro-loft styles residential condos
Updated 24 November, 2021: A handsome, symmetrical façade, Greek-revival inspired mid-19th-century mill building that seems to have always been well cared for
Updated 23 November, 2021: Three tightly-packed buildings with histories in weaving and threading have turned residential and are thriving in post-industrial Central Falls
Updated 23 November, 2021: The earliest steel-framed buildings in the city, constructed by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of Connecticut
Updated 21 November, 2021: One of the last operating woven product mills in the area, closing in 2001, and later converted to residential starting in 2007
Updated 20 November, 2021: A former businessman’s club that could no longer operate is turned into the offices for an archoeological and historic preservation non-profit
Updated 20 November, 2021: The façade of this simple commercial building was left open for years before finally being finished off in an unattractive manner
Updated 14 November, 2021: An early conversion from industrial mill to residential and commercial space visible from the highway as visitors enter from Massachusetts
Updated 13 November, 2021: A very large, wood shingle mansion in Quality Hill with attached carriage house that was used as a senior care facility for 105 years
Updated 12 November, 2021: An opportunity for mid-century modern along a stretch of land opened up by razing older properties during the construction of I-95
Updated 7 November, 2021: A 250+ year old home belonging to one of the captain’s that took part in the burning of the Gaspee
Updated 6 November, 2021: A 60 year old metal blacksmithing business known for its craft, ingenuity, and dedication to quality fabrication
Updated 5 November, 2021: A handsome, symmetrical, two-story fire house that was built at a time when horses still drew fire apparartus
Updated 25 October, 2021: A hub of scientific and academic innovation and one of the first projects to break ground in the newly available I-195 District
246 properties and 4,333 images.
Anecdotes
1,711 anecdotes from people just like you.
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Another website about The Milk Can https://www.facebook.com/MilkCanRI
Roland Bouchard on Milk Can -
Walked by it today to get a closer look after noticing yesterday that work is being done on it. Hope they are planning to keep the historic look. It looks like they are repairing the windows and bricks.
Jill Tyler on Primo Art Company -
This restaurant had been in this location my entire life AND most of my parents life. Other than removing the pickle jars sometime in the 90s, the interior had remained the same as well. This was a 3 minute drive from my parents house so we got take out a lot. When we did eat ...
Jeff F on Beef Barn no.1 -
My wife’s Great Uncle was Harry Davenport and was the President of Washburn Wire.
Glen Hawthorne on Washburn Wire -
The Wilbury Group theatre company did 3 shows at the Butcher Block space around 2013 — “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” “Lungs,” and then “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity.” Then a pipe burst in the building, the fire department came to check it out and put a stop to us usi...
Josh on United States Rubber Company Mill Complex -
Just trying to find info on old lace mills in area of Esten Ave. believe great grandfather Charles (Thomas) Thompson had one
Joan McKenna on American Textile Mill -
My dad Lawrence Anatole Tellier worked at Gorhams when jewelry with precious stones and metals were being made for the shah of Iran. It had to be before 1944 when my family of origin was living in D.C. Do you have any records of this name?
Sister Marie Tellier on Gorham Manufacturing Company -
Lived on Adams Ave. then Jefferson Ave. in the mid-fifties. One of the most fun times (three years) of my life. Firemen froze over an empty lot in winter for us to skate on… tiny little PX near the point. Deep snow! Blizzards! Playing in the fort! Bats! Petting the horses at H...
Marlane McInnis on Fort Adams State Park
