Edwards Hall, built in 1928, is located close to the heart of the University of Rhode Island.
Positioned at the top right corner of the quadrangle next to Swan Hall, Edwards is a well-used building for many URI students. It was built with the same rough squared ashlar granite used by other early buildings on the quadrangle, such as Davis Hall and Ballentine Hall.
Not only is Edwards used to house comedy groups, internet personalities and debate issues, it is also one of the first few buildings new students are introduced to during their orientation at URI. As a part of the introduction to the school, students are seated in the audience of the auditorium to receive information about starting off at the University and are given the chance to perform on stage for a talent show.
Edwards Hall was originally named after Howard Edwards, the University’s third president who held his position for almost 25 years. The building has been used as the University’s library, small seminar room, large central reading room and large auditorium room throughout the many years it has been a part of URI. It has retained its original attributes, such as the building material, which have not gone unnoticed by onlookers.
For example, Paul R. Lusignan, a historian with the National Park Service and National Register of Historic Places, told Rhody Today: “I will say that while many schools have buildings that share a common architectural vocabulary, few have maintained those common forms, styles and materials over time to the degree found on the URI campus.”
The building was first opened with 1,000 seats, which were $4.71 each when purchased. These were later replaced in 1988. The hall housed the audiences of URI Theatre and short films, including those made by a URI cinematography class, both of which were presented there for many years.
The multi-purpose building soon changed uses when the Fine Arts Center opened in 1969. The University was then free to use Edwards Hall as a large lecture classroom. However, it continues to be used as a public facility for concerts, movies and events. The Fine Arts Center now presents band concerts, plays and musicals.
In 2010, the building underwent a project to update fire protection, technology and aesthetics. In total, it was a $1.5 million project, which earned URI a 2012 Rhody Award for Historic Preservation.
As is noted in an article of Rhody Today , during reconstruction of the Hall, workers found a set of murals by Providence artist, Gino Conti, which were created as part of the Works Projects Administration program in 1935. This project resulted in a wide opening of jobs available to boost the economy during the 1930s and 1940s. The murals, hidden for nearly 43 years, were found to be in near perfect condition and were later removed and restored.
In 2018, Edwards Hall was named to the National Register of Historic Places. Being only one of 17 structures on the URI Kingston Campus to have received this distinction, it was an especially memorable event for onlookers.
Former URI President, Davis M. Dooley told Rhody Today: “I am pleased to see our beautiful campus gain recognition and protection through this significant designation.”
Edwards Hall has served many purposes throughout the near century it has been around. Hopefully, the URI community will continue to utilize this historic building and preserve the well-established Hall for many years to come.