Work progresses to remove references to ‘Providence Plantations’ from State House
by BRIAN CRANDALL, NBC 10 NEWS
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Changes are gradually unfolding at Rhode Island’s State House to erase the words “Providence Plantations” in some spots.
It’s been nearly four years since voters approved a ballot measure to drop “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s official name.
NBC 10 News first reported in May plans to remove most use of those words that are in the state capitol building.
At that time, most of the work had not yet been done.
New state seal stickers had been placed over room door placards to cover the old state seal which included “Providence Plantations.”
But the rest of the plans were still in the works.
Since then, the granite seal in the walkway outside the lower employee entrance was pulled up.
The space was temporarily filled with bricks in August.
The plan is to reuse the same piece of granite to make a new seal, but without the words “Providence Plantations.”
That’s expected to be back in place around the end of November.
NBC 10 News was told in May the cost would be $30,000.
Now, the spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration says the price tag will be under $10,000.
A new rug is being made for the Rhode Island State House rotunda that removes the words “Providence Plantations” from the state’s name. (WJAR)
In May, state officials also described how a new marble ring with brass letters would be made to be placed over the current seal on the rotunda floor in the heart of the State House.
The raised ring would essentially be the same look as the current seal, but without the words “Providence Plantations.”
That ring is still in the late stages of the design phase and then has to go out to bid to be built, according to the Department of Administration.
In the meantime, NBC 10 News has now learned the state is ordering a nearly $18,000 rug to cover the seal.
A rug covers the old state seal in the Rhode Island State House rotunda. (WJAR)
The new rug will look like the marble floor, with the new seal on it. It will replace a plain maroon rug that is currently placed over the rotunda seal.
State officials say the new rug will be used at times to cover the new raised ring once it’s in place, like during events.
The new rotunda rug is expected to arrive in late December.
A rug in the State Room of the Rhode Island State House will be replaced at a cost of $65,000. (WJAR)
So is a $65,000 rug for the State Room on the second floor, to replace the large rectangular rug that’s there now which includes old state seals in its fabric.
Meanwhile, new elevator doors are now in place.
The old doors had multiple state seals, including “Providence Plantations,” on them.
The new doors have no seals.
The elevator doors in the Rhode Island State House have been replaced. They no longer feature seals bearing the words “Providence Plantations.” (WJAR)
The cost for the new elevator doors was $112,000, less that half what NBC 10 News was told the price would be in May.
Last year’s state budget included nearly $2.5 million to address the state name change.
The words “Providence Plantations” will remain in some areas, like where it’s etched in the outdoor façade above the main entrance to the State House.