Howley Hall: A Building with a Rich History at Providence College

Introduction

Howley Hall stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Providence College and its connection to the city of Providence, Rhode Island. Originally part of Providence City Hospital, later known as Charles V. Chapin Hospital, this building has transformed over time to become an integral part of the college campus.

From Hospital to Hall: The Early Years

The building that is now Howley Hall was once the central structure of the Chapin Hospital property. The Providence City Hospital was built in 1910 and renamed Charles V. Chapin Hospital in 1931. A historic postcard depicts the hospital, identifying the central building as the future Howley Hall, flanked by what are now St. Catherine of Siena Hall and Koffler Hall.

Transformation into Howley Hall

Providence College acquired the Chapin Hospital property, integrating its buildings into the expanding campus. The building was named Howley Hall in honor of Rev. Francis A. Howley, O.P., an original faculty member of Providence College.

Academic Hub

Today, Howley Hall serves as an academic hub, housing various departments and programs. It provides office space for the Black Studies and Health Policy & Management programs, as well as the Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology departments. The building also features an anthropology workshop and a political science data center, catering to the specific needs of these disciplines.

Providence College: A Thriving Institution

Providence College, situated in Rhode Island’s capital city, offers a unique environment for students. Its 108-acre campus provides a balance between a removed, peaceful setting and close proximity to the cultural and educational opportunities of Providence. The city's urban renaissance adds to the appeal, and its location within driving distance of Boston and New York City makes it easily accessible.

Read also: Explore Haas Hall Academy

The campus itself is equipped with a variety of facilities designed to support student growth, learning, and recreation. A campus shuttle bus facilitates transportation to nearby neighborhoods and downtown Providence.

Academic and Learning Spaces

Classroom and laboratory facilities are distributed across several buildings, including:

Accinno Hall
Albertus Magnus Hall
The Ceramics Building
The Feinstein Academic Center
Guzman Hall
Harkins Hall (also the main administration building)
Hickey Hall
Hunt-Cavanagh Hall
Phillips Memorial Library
The Ruane Center for the Humanities
The Ryan Center for Business Studies
St. Catherine of Siena Hall

The Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, opened in Spring 2017, is a modern facility for the Providence College School of Business. It features a glass atrium, a conference room, a finance learning laboratory with Bloomberg terminals, computer labs, and classrooms designed for hands-on learning.

The Ruane Center for the Humanities, opened in Fall 2013, is a signature academic building symbolizing the college’s commitment to the liberal arts. It offers flexible instructional space and technology-enhanced classrooms. The Fiondella Great Room serves as a gathering space and event facility.

Renovations to Sowa Hall, including the Lucille and Leo Caiafa, Jr. Center for Psychological Sciences, were completed in Summer 2019. The science complex also includes an observatory and specialized science laboratories in Hickey Hall.

Student Life and Activities

Slavin Center, the student union, is a central hub open 24 hours a day during the academic year. It houses student clubs and organizations, as well as offices and facilities such as the Offices of Residence Life & Housing, the Dean of Students Office, Student Activities & Cultural Programming, the Chirico Career Center, and the Providence College Bookstore. It also offers meeting rooms and lounge spaces.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a teaching and performance facility for undergraduates in music, theatre, and dance. It includes the Angell Blackfriars Theatre, the Ryan Concert Hall, the Bowab Studio Theatre, the Higgins Clark Dance Studio, a piano lab, a film-screening classroom, a music technology lab, and practice rooms.

Nearly all general use classrooms are equipped with multimedia technologies. Accinno Hall houses four computer laboratories. Providence College provides students with access to Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, and collaborative applications such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Spiritual Life

Providence College encourages spiritual growth. St. Dominic Chapel is open 24 hours a day, and the Campus Ministry Center serves as the center of spiritual life. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies also provide spaces for prayer and reflection.

Library Resources

The Phillips Memorial Library offers extensive research resources in print and digital formats. It provides access to journals, books, databases, and multimedia, as well as support for access and research, technology, and multimedia production.

Read also: Remembrance and Progress

Residential Life

Campus residential facilities include traditional dormitory housing, as well as suite and apartment-style units.

Notable residence halls include:

Aquinas Hall
McDermott Hall
Meagher Hall
McVinney Hall
Saint Joseph Hall
Raymond Hall
Guzman Hall
Fennell Hall
Cunningham Hall
Sutton Hall
DiTraglia Hall
Bedford Hall
McCarthy Hall

Athletic Facilities

Providence College offers a range of athletic facilities:

Alumni Hall
Concannon Fitness Center
Peterson Recreation Center
Schneider Arena
Jimmy Walker Strength & Conditioning Center
Taylor Natatorium

Alumni Hall is the main on-campus gymnasium and home to the athletic department, Hall of Fame, and women's basketball and volleyball teams. The Concannon Fitness Center offers a modern fitness space. Schneider Arena is home to the men's and women's ice hockey teams and the men's lacrosse team.

Architectural Legacy of Martin & Hall

The architectural firm of Martin & Hall played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Providence and Rhode Island. Established in 1893 by Frank H. Martin and George Frederic Hall, the firm developed a successful general practice, leaving its mark on various building types.

Martin & Hall's architectural style was influenced by their predecessors at Stone, Carpenter & Willson, favoring contemporary revival styles such as Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, and Neoclassical. Their early projects showcased a Châteauesque style, while later works incorporated elaborate wrought-iron details reminiscent of Art Nouveau.

Notable projects by Martin & Hall include:

Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History (1895)
Belton Court in Barrington (1906)
Edwin A. Smith Building (1912)

tags: #Howley #Hall #Providence #College #history