Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission photos
Providence's First Universalist Church is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The First Universalist Church and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) buildings, both on Washington Street downtown, have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The register is the federal government's list of properties whose historical and architectural significance makes them worthy of preservation.
Edward Sanderson, executive director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, said Monday that until recently, neither of the buildings could be added to the list because they weren't within the boundaries of the Downtown Providence Historic District.
That changed when the National Park Service extended the boundaries west to include the 140-year-old church and the YWCA building, which dates to 1905-1906.
The Young Women's Christian Association is also on the register.