The Federal Building is a historic post office, courthouse and custom house on Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

In 1900 the rapidly growing city of Providence began pressing Rhode Island's congressional delegation and officials in Washington about the need for a new federal building to replace the U.S. Customshouse.

Construction was closely monitored by the Supervising Architect's Office with monthly progress photographs and building material samples sent to Washington.

[2] Located at the east end of Kennedy Plaza (formerly known as Exchange Place), in downtown Providence, the Federal Building and U.S.

Arched openings, enriched by keystones and swags, encompass the double-height windows that light the interior courtrooms at the third story.

[2] Two groups of allegorical statues, designed by J. Massey Rhind of New York, flank the major entrances on the building's west side.

[2] Perhaps the most impressive interior space is the double-height chamber of the Federal District Court, located on the third floor above the west entrance.

The walls are paneled in oak set behind paired colossal columns supporting an entablature topped by a vaulted ceiling with an elliptical stained-glass skylight.

The main entrance, on axis with the judge's bench, is framed by pilasters carrying a broken segmental pediment, set on beautifully carved consoles.

The walls are similarly paneled in oak and set behind fluted columns and pilasters that support an entablature at the ceiling level.