Urban Context

The Burnside House is part of historic Benefit Street on College Hill of Providence. At the time of this house's construction, Benefit Street was home to many of the well-to-do members of the city of Providence, due to the street's position overlooking the downtown area. In the early 20 th century, the neighborhood began to change from a prosperous community to a low income and dangerous area. The Burnside House was adapted from a single-family home into a low cost apartment building. In the 1950's, a renewal program began to restore Benefit Street to its historic roots. Many of the houses on the street were renovated, and although the Burnside House is not in as good condition as many of the other houses, the street is believed to look much like what it did in the 1870's.