Restoration

The Redwood's commitment to preservation and restoration dates back to the Revolutionary War, when occupying British troops left the building vandalized and the books depleted by more than half. Today, the Redwood's needs may not seem as colorful, but they are no less pressing. In the more than 200 years since the Library's first restoration, the world has changed greatly, and those changes have taken their toll.

The Restoration Campaign has two primary goals: to restore and preserve our nation's oldest lending library, and to ensure the infrastructure necessary to support it into the future.

The Redwood's restoration and renewal initiative has begun, and is receiving enthusiastic endorsement and support from regional and national preservation experts. In 1997, the "historic envelope" exterior of the 1750 Harrison building and the 1858 Reading Room addition, was restored. This summer of 2000 saw the restoration of the Summer House. In recognition of the first achievements, the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission awarded the Redwood its 1998 Historic Preservation Award.

In June of 1999, the Library's restoration was designated an "Official Project" of the Save America's Treasures initiative.

Funds raised by donation will be used to protect the Redwood's irreplaceable historic architecture and cultural materials, increase access to the Library's treasures through a more secure environment, and enable the Redwood to better meet the needs of scholars, patrons and visitors.