Renovation of a museum in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a museum.

This project involves the first of two phases of work to provide major restoration and rehabilitation of six historically- significant buildings built between 1895 and 1936 around the Kingston Campus Quadrangle. The four-sided green space, with a double colonnade of trees at its perimeter and adjacent building configuration, was designed by the landscape architecture firm of Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park in New York City in the late 1800s. Five of the six buildings in this project were constructed of granite blocks drawn from a quarry on the Campus property: Davis (1895), East (1909), Edwards (1928), Washburn (1921) and Quinn (1936). The last building is Eleanor Roosevelt Hall (1936) and is thought to be one of the only buildings in the United States named for the former first lady. Together, they encompass over 210,000 square feet of actively utilized office, classroom, and laboratory spaces at the core of the Kingston Campus. Phase 1 will provide restoration of Edwards Hall, East Hall, Washburn Hall, and an enabling renovation of Morrill Hall. The following descriptions outline the major scope of work for each building in Phase 1: Edwards Hall involves the exterior renovations and interior improvements to Edwards Hall, a stately granite assembly building on the southeast corner of the Historic Quadrangle on the Kingston Campus. This project involves exterior window restoration, masonry re-pointing, and handicap access improvements. The planned interior work includes ADA accessibility to the assembly facility and upstairs offices, replacement of aging seating, and restroom improvements. The project also includes upgrades to building systems to ensure proper operations and energy efficiency. East Hall was the fifth building constructed at the University in 1909. Originally a dormitory, this handsome granite building currently houses the Physics Department and other science-related academic studies. This project will include the re-pointing of exterior granite masonry and renovation of the interior of the building, including the reconfiguration of classrooms and offices, modernization of teaching laboratories, upgrade of the elevator and restrooms to meet accessibility codes, and general renovations consistent with current building code. The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems would be improved for better environmental control, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. All renovations would strive to preserve the building’s historic character and enhance the quality appearance, and function of this original college quadrangle building. Washburn Hall Renovation involves the completion of exterior renovations to the building and a full interior renovation, including the provision of accessibility and utilization of the fourth floor, of Washburn Hall, one of the University's old granite buildings, built on the Main Quadrangle on the Kingston Campus in 1921. Washburn has benefited from a slate roof replacement and had window replacements accomplished as part of the Energy Efficiency Improvement Project Phase II. This project will include re-pointing of exterior masonry, code compliance modifications, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, plumbing systems and fixtures, an elevator, conversion of classroom facilities to the current University standards, and renovated finishes and fixtures throughout the building. Morrill Hall is a 37,000 sq. ft., four-story biological science laboratory building, was constructed in 1965. The University proposes to renovate the building and improve adjacent landscaping. Once renovations are completed, the building will be used to provide the space needed to clear out one of the Historic Quadrangle buildings above for undergraduate teaching, faculty offices and research purposes. As of March 30, 2026, this project is included in the State/Provincial 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Further information regarding a design firm and timeline for construction has not yet been established. Funding is allotted starting in FY 2028. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.