Many residents and visitors to Providence are familiar with the Old Stone Bank building, located at 86 South Main Street, in Providence’s historic East Side, but few have had the chance to see the inside of this wonderful piece of mid-19th-century bank architecture. Designed in 1854 by C. J. and J. R. Hall the imposing granite edifice and wonderfully ornate golden dome make the Old Stone Bank the perfect setting for this weekend’s Red Fork Empire Embassy to Steampunk, almost…
Since the Old Stone Bank Corporation’s collapse in the 1980s the building has been mostly vacant and is slowly slipping into decay. By special arrangement with Barrett Bready, the building’s current owner and WaterFire board member, the Embassy to Steampunk will be the second large-scale event that WaterFire has hosted in the building. Before the installation of more than 150 works by Steampunk-inspired artists from across the country could begin there was a lot of work to do. Working tirelessly for the past two weeks WaterFire volunteers and production team members, under the guidance of executive artistic director Barnaby Evans have transformed the drab, dilapidated interior into a colorful backdrop fir for a steampunk emperor.
Check out our photo gallery of the transformation in progress. And be sure to visit our Ignite Providence website for more details about the Red Fork Empire Embassy to Steampunk gallery show opening on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 pm.
About the author
Tim Blankenship, newly appointed Director of Special Projects, is a 22-year veteran of WaterFire and a steadfast advocate for the organization’s mission to unite the community through shared artistic experiences. Having worked across multiple departments, including a decade in production and recent years with the creative services team, Tim brings unmatched institutional knowledge to his new role. He will focus on strengthening internal systems and supporting the creation of new visitor experiences at both the downtown installation and the WaterFire Arts Center.
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September 11, 2013 - Tim Blankenship
We’re so looking forward to the exhibit! Not only because the Steampunk is going to be a lot of fun, but also because we’ve been dying to see the inside of the Old Stone Bank for years!
.Dear Sirs: Am so happy.to hear that WaterFirei is using The Old Stone Bank Building for one of it’s future events! My interest
Is a result of the over 42 years that I was employed by the Bank in many positions… full time, part time and in on call or
Special projects, depending on the Bank’s needs and my availability. I have many wonderful memories and interesting
Occasions in those years and am still in contact with associates who are here in R.I. And across the country.
My first eight years with Old Stone was as Secretary to a senior officer and my desk was in the front left lobby of 86 South
Main Street and I also served customers in those years. The building is full of history and I enjoyed those and later years immensely. Contact me if I can add any information about our mutual interest. Sylvia DiFonzo
Hi Sylvia, this event happened in 2013. The Old Stone Bank has since been converted into a private residence. Unfortunately, we have no future plans involving the bank.