The Providence Athenaeum (1831-1836) was established in 1831 in Providence, Rhode Island as a subscription library and reading room. It existed for only six years before both it, and the previously-established Providence Library Company (1753-1836) dissolved their corporations and sold their collections to a third corporation, The Athenaeum, established in 1836 and later renamed the Providence Athenaeum in 1850.
A primary impetus for forming the Providence Athenaeum was the fact that as early as 1825 the Providence Library Company was losing its financial footing. By February 1831, a meeting was held to consider the feasibility of starting a second organization. On June 22, 1831 the Providence Athenaeum was incorporated. On July 18 an organization was effected, with subscribers contributing $100 each (patrons) or $25 (stockholders). Tristam Burges was elected president along with other officers and trustees. A constitution and by-laws were written. The reading room opened in August 1831 at Nos. 42 and 44 in the Arcade building in downtown Providence. On November 28, 1831 the first Annual Meeting was held, and in December the circulating library opened with 1,159 volumes.
“Movement for the union of the libraries: As early as July 1832 … the subject of uniting the libraries began to be discussed, and formal negotiations … continued until a final agreement was reached.” On January 25, 1836 a meeting in Masonic Hall was held and it was declared that “after mature consideration, and ineffectual attempts for a union, have severally resolved to dispose of their libraries and dissolve their corporations ... the books of each were to be purchased by the new institution [i.e. The Athenaeum].”
"From a brief statement concerning the old Athenaeum appearing in the first annual report of the new institution, submitted in February, 1837, the following estimate of its work is taken: 'From [1831-1836] ... notwithstanding many circumstances adverse to its growth, it succeeded in making, if not a large, a very choice collection of books--which ultimately constituted by far the most valuable portion of the Library of the new institution [i.e. The Athenaeum established 1836], at the date of its origin.'"
Source: Seventy-sixth annual report of the Board of Directors of The Providence Athenaeum to the Corporation, submitted September 24, 1911, pages 34-41.
Providence Athenaeum institutional records, dating 1831-1836.
Administrative records (Series 1):
Catalogs (Series 2): There are 3 copies of the 1833 published catalog, each bound in with various other documents. In the Catalogue of the Providence Athenaeum Library dated 1833 (Archives Colset 4, Shelf 1, Item 1) a list of Trustees in included: Lemuel H. Arnold, Thomas Burges, Richard J. Arnold, Thomas C. Hoppin, William T. Grinnell, William Butler, John Taylor, Stephen Tripp, J. Kingsbury, and Zachariah Allen.
Collection records (Series 3): The charging records, dating 1831-1836, were created by the Librarian at the "Delivery Desk" (circulation desk), listing which books were taken out by members. 1831-1836.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Researchers seeking to publish materials should complete an Application to Publish Library Materials available through written request to info@provath.org
Open to public research. Materials are available by prior appointment that requires 24-hour advance notice.
Providence Athenaeum records, Arch-002, Providence Athenaeum.
Arranged in 3 series and chronologically thereunder:
No further materials are expected for this collection.
Related collections held by the Rhode Island Historical Society, viewed online
September 14, 2018:
Related images held by Brown University and The Providence Athenaeum, viewed
online September 14, 2018:
Published: Providence: Cranston & Hammond, 1831. 4 copies (1 bound; 3 softcover)
Printed at Cranston & Hammond's Office, in Union Buildings, 1831. 14 pages. Bound in Providence Athenaeum documents, 1831-1894.
Published: Providence, R.I., printed at Cranston & Hammond's Office in Union Buildings, 1831. 14 pages.
Bound in a volume comprised of 3 sections, with manuscript title page "The Providence Athenaeum, 1899" and spine title "Athenaeum Constitutions, By-Laws, and Regulations from 1753". Pencilled call number: 027.2 P94C; the volume is date stamped Feb 25 1899. The bound volume includes materials from the Providence Library Company and the Providence Athenaeum established 1831 (in 1st section), and the Providence Athenaeum established 1836 (in 2nd section). At the end is a 3th section of additional blank pages for pasting in future documents.
Spine title. Bound notebook with manuscript entries. Minutes of the first five annual meetings. Approx. 8-1/4 x 13 inches.
Manuscript. 38 items.
Title from t.p. Bound notebook with manuscript entries. Includes Minutes of Trustees meetings dating July 1831-April 1836.
Bound notebook with manuscript entries.
Minutes of Trustees (Board of Directors) meetings from July 1831-April 1836.
Manuscript. 42 items. Includes list of original subscribers and reports concerning the merger of the Athenaeum and the Providence Library Company (some written by John Russell Bartlett).
Catalog published 1833; bound in notebook entitled Institution Records Feb. 1831-Nov. 1835 Providence Athenaeum (a notebook with manuscript entries).
Published: Providence, William Marshall & Co., 1833. Paper no binding. 107 pages.
Published: Providence, William Marshall & Co. Printers, 1833. 67 pages.
Title from spine wrapper. Bound notebook with manuscript entries detailing circulation of books taken out by various members; approx. 8 x 13 inches, 300 pages.