Own a Piece of RI State House History

Update Monday, June 12: Thank you for the outpouring of interest in this historic marble, and for all the support for Farm Fresh RI! We are completely sold out of all small pieces of marble. We have a LIMITED amount of large bench-sized pieces left only. If you would like to set up an appointment to purchase a large bench-sized piece, email Holly Darby to coordinate (holly@farmfreshri.org).

Join us at this one-of-a-kind event to celebrate History, Art and Community!

Farm Fresh RI is proud to present for sale to the public historic marble that traveled from Georgia to Providence in the 1890s to be used in the construction of the Rhode Island State House! The sale will be held at 50 Sims Avenue in Providence, right next to Farm Fresh RI’s headquarters.

SAVE THE DATES

Open House to Preview the Marble (no sales)
Thursday, June 8 — 10am to 4pm

Sale Open to the Public
Friday June 9 — 6pm to 8pm
Saturday June 10 — 10am to 4pm
Sunday June 11 — 12noon to 4pm

In 2017, Farm Fresh RI purchased a 3+ acre site at 10 Sims Avenue in the Valley neighborhood of Providence on which to build our new headquarters and year-round farmers market venue. As early excavation got underway, imagine the surprise of discovering a great deal of marble that had been buried underground for over 100 years! It turned out that the site was once owned by the Norcross Bros, builders of the RI State House, and was used as a marble-cutting facility for the marble that went into the Capitol! (See the November 1898 Providence Journal of Commerce article, courtesy RI Historical Society Library)

Determined to preserve and repurpose this historic stone, Farm Fresh RI rescued it and set it aside for future use. Over 40 pieces are now nestled into the landscaping surrounding the Farm Fresh building — serving as attractive and very functional benches. In addition, internationally known Rhode Island stone carver Nicholas Benson created a permanent art installation from one massive block of marble that is today displayed in front of the Farm Fresh building.

Now we are offering the remaining collection to the public. The marble is priced from $5 to $500, with pieces ranging in size from several inches in diameter to several feet. Also offered for sale will be a select group of marble pieces enlivened by the design work of talented local artists.

Proceeds from the sale will support Farm Fresh RI’s mission to strengthen local agriculture and help all Rhode Islanders have access to nutritious, locally grown foods.