Old Town House To Be Moved

The Old Town House at 136 West Main Street is moving. Owned by the Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford, the historic structure will find a new home on Phillips Street near Boone Street, according to Cranston-Murphy managing director Andrew Correia. It will be given to the town to benefit town residents.

Correia told the Town Council Monday night the funeral home would pay the moving costs. Cranston-Murphy plans to add on to its main building and to use the space gained by moving the town house to increase parking.

The Old Town House served as North Kingstown’s first Town Hall. It was built in 1807.

For many, even longtime North Kingstown residents, the building is a surprise, despite its prominent location. Town Councilor Kerry McKay remarked at the Town Council meeting Monday he didn't even know it was there. 

Proposed uses for the Town House in its new location include an arts center.

According to Historic Wickford:

• Ideally, historic structures are best preserved on their original site. In this case, HistWick supports the saving of this historically significant building, over its demolition, in a manner that serves to preserve it for perpetuity and make it available for use by the public. A public process should ensure that the building’s new site is chosen in a manner that balances the public’s use of Town lands and the preservation of The Old Town House.