Directions to Peace Dale Library

From Points North

• Take 95 South to Route 4.
• Take Route 4 South to Route 1.
• Take Route 1 South to Wakefield exit.
• Turn right off exit ramp.
• At second traffic light, turn right onto Route 108 and go 3/4 mile.
• After you pass Scallop Shell Nursing Home and "The Oaks," make a right turn into library parking lot.

From Points South

• Take Route 1 North.
• A mile or so past the Jerry Brown Farm exit, take Wakefield exit from the left lane.
• You will now be on Route 1 South for a very short distance, take first exit.
• This leads you to Main Street, Wakefield.
• At first traffic light, turn left onto Columbia Street.
• At the second stop sign after South Kingstown High School, turn right.
• You will see the library on your left, turn left into library parking lot.

From Aquidneck Island

• Take Newport and Jamestown bridges.
• When you get off Jamestown Bridge, take Route 138 Connector straight across to Route 1 (a few miles).
• Take Westerly exit off connector, which puts you on Route 1 South.
• Follow Route 1 South to the first Wakefield Exit.
• From there, follow directions from in "From Points North" above.

From Western Rhode Island

• Take Route 138 East.
• Follow it to Route 1 South.
• From there, follow directions from in "From Points North" above.

Online Directions

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History of the Peace Dale Library Building

Hazard Memorial Building/South Kingstown Public Library/Peace Dale (1891)

On October 9, 1891, Rowland Hazard and John Newbold Hazard gave to the town a living memorial "builded" in memory of their father Rowland Gibson Hazard. Designed by architect Frank W Angell, the building is a massive Richardsonian Romanesque stone building with a hip-roof and large wood-shingled section at the rear with a louvered cupola.

Building Features

• Gabled Section With Wood-Shingled Upper Part Left of the Entrance
• Large Arched Entry
• Several Small Gabled and Eyebrow Dormers
• Short Conical Tower at the Right of the Entry
• Straight Topped Windows
• Two Massive Stone Chimneys

In addition, there is a porte-cochere on the east side and a porch on the west side. The wood-shingled section was originally a large auditorium with a stage and was actively used in the early 20th century when the building was the center of village life. Above the former stage is a plaster frieze depicting musical activity, which is a reproduction of a work by Italian Renaissance sculptor Luca Della Robbia.

Library Location

The library originally occupied the large front room, which has a balcony that goes nearly around the room. This room as well as others is finished almost exclusively with cypress. Today the Hazard Memorial Building serves as the central library for the South Kingstown Public Library system.

Renovations

In November 1988, a major renovation to the building was undertaken and completed in March 1990. The renovation preserved the architectural integrity of the building and traditions of the past and incorporated them into providing a contemporary library facility for the entire community.

The Weaver

A bronze sculpture, "The Weaver," by Daniel Chester French sits on the Library grounds. French's only work in Rhode Island, this 1920 piece was commissioned by Caroline Hazard in memory of her father and her two brothers.

Adaptation

Adapted from Historical and Architectural Resources of South Kingstown, Rhode Island: A Preliminary Report, published in 1984 by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission.

Upcoming Events

Find upcoming events at the Peace Dale Library.