>> "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY" IS BROUGHT EVEN PART 5 -- >> YOU AND I.

>> YOU AND I WILL PROBABLY NEVER MEET.

>> WHAT I TREAT -- >> IS SO RARE.

>> BUT IF YOU NEED ME -- >> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

♪ ♪ >> TONIGHT ON "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY," CHRISTINA MORE RAN THIS MERCEDES ON VEGETABLE OIL.

>> I HAD SEEN SIGNS.

WANT TO LIVE IN SOME ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY THAT'S LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE TO URBAN SPRAWL?

YES.

EVERYONE ELSE'S FLYING.

ANYONE WANT TO DRIVE WITH ME?

I WAS COMMITTED TO DOING A ROAD TRIP.

>> WE ARE NOT THE RHODE ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

WE ARE THE MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND WE HAVE TRIED TO DO EVERY GENRE WE CAN THINK OF.

>> PRODUCING EVERY GENRE THEY CAN THINK OF BEGS THE QUESTION, DOES RHODE ISLAND DESERVE THE REPUTATION AS A STATE THAT SPONSOR GREAT MUSIC?

>> YES.

THE ANSWER IS YES AND YES.

RATHER NO AND YES, I GUESS.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

>> I AM PAMELA WATTS.

BIOFUEL, FUEL DERIVED FROM PLANTS, ALGAE OR ANIMAL WASTE HAS BEEN MARKETED AS A LOW CARBON ALTERNATIVE TO FOSSIL FUELS.

IT'S AN OPTION GEARED TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE.

BUT IS IT?

IN OUR GREEN SEEKERS SERIES, JOHN SMITH FOUND THIS ONCE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE SOLUTION HAS FACED PLENTY OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO GROW A BUNCH OF CORN AND DISPLAYS FOOD -- DISPLACE LAND FOR GROWING FOOD AND TURNING THAT INTO FUEL, WELL, MAYBE THAT IS NOT SUCH A GOOD THING TO DO ENVIRONMENTALLY.

>> AS A PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, KURT SPALDING KNOWS RENEWABLES.

HE SAYS ONE POPULAR OPTION, BIOFUEL, IS NOT AS GREEN AS IT WOULD SEEM.

>> YOU ARE DIVERTING GOOD AGRICULTURAL LAND THAT COULD BE USED FOR GROWING FOOD AND KEEPING THE FOOD SUPPLY STABLE AND WITH THAT COMES APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES AND OTHER PRODUCTS TO GROW CORN ESPECIALLY, WHICH IS A HARD THING TO GROW.

>> THIS PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZER CONTRIBUTE TO ACID RAIN AND CAN CREATE OZONE POLLUTION.

PLUS, AND AMENDED DEMAND FOR CORN CAN LEAD TO THE CLEARCUTTING OF FORESTS FOR FARMLAND.

CORN ETHANOL IS A BIG BUSINESS.

30% TO 40% OF THE U.S. CORN CROP GOES TOWARDS PRODUCING IT.

>> YOU HAVE AN ECONOMY IN IOWA BUILT AROUND CORN ETHANOL.

IOWA IS PRETTY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT.

ARE YOU GOING TO WENT OUTDOOR RADICALLY CHANGE THAT RIGHT AWAY?

PROBABLY NOT.

>> THE INDUSTRY GOT A BOOST IN 2005 AND CONGRESS MANDATED THE MANUFACTURERS MUST MIX GASOLINE WITH RENEWABLE FUELS LIKE CORN ETHANOL.

THE MEASURE WAS INTO REDUCING PETROLEUM USAGE.

>> THAT WILL NOT GET REPEALED ANYTIME SOON.

THE FEDERAL POLICY IS PART OF HER ENERGY FUTURES AND IT'S PRETTY WELL LOCKED IN.

>> LENDING HAS A LONG HISTORY.

HENRY FORD DESIGNED THE FIRST MODEL T CAR TO RUN ON A COMBINATION OF GASOLINE AND ALCOHOL.

HE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT IS TEXACO DOING IN A FIELD OF CORN?

TEXACO WAS MAKING GASAHOL.

>> THE OIL CRISIS PROMPTED THE INDUSTRY TO LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES.

ESPECIALLY ETHANOL.

AS IT TURNED OUT, THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE HAD PROBLEMS.

ALTHOUGH GASOLINE WITH ETHANOL HAS A MODERATELY SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT, EMISSIONS INCLUDE A TOXIC CHEMICAL THAT SCIENTISTS BELIEVE MAY CAUSE CANCER.

KURT SPALDING WARNS IN GENERAL IT IS NOT A SILVER BULLET FOR THE CLIMATE WOES.

>> WHEN NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM SOME OF THESE BIG INDUSTRIAL BIOFUEL VISIONS OF MARGINAL BENEFIT WHEN IT COMES TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, OR LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS AROUND SUSTAINABILITY.

10% TO 20% AT BEST.

LOOK AT BIOFUEL FOR SPECIFIC AREAS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS THAT HAVE MUCH HIGHER VALUE.

>> BLAKE IS THE PRESIDENT OF NEWPORT BIODIESEL.

>> WHAT YOU SEE IS FEEDSTOCK IN VARIOUS STATES OF BEING REFINED.

>> NOT ALL BIOFUEL IS TIED TO THE CONTROVERSIAL CORN INDUSTRY.

NEWPORT BIODIESEL PRODUCES FUEL BY RECYCLING USED COOKING OIL FROM RESTAURANTS.

>> THAT ENTAILS GOING TO THE SOURCE, KITCHENS FROM MAINE DOWN TO THE NEW YORK CITY AREA, COLLECTING THE WASTE A WHALE WITH TRUCKS, BRING TO NEWPORT.

WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE HEADQUARTERS WE HAVE TO PREP THAT MATERIAL FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION.

>> THAT INCLUDES THE COOKING OIL BEING FILTERED, MECHANICALLY SEPARATED AND PURIFIED TO WHAT BECOMES BIODIESEL.

>> 99.9% BIODIESEL.

.1% OF ULTRALOW SULFUR DIESEL.

>> AFTER BEING MIXED WITH OTHER PRODUCTS, IT GOES ON TO HEAT HOMES, POWERBOATS AND TRUCKS.

HE SAYS RIGHT NOW BIODIESEL IS A VIABLE SUBSTITUTE AS THE WORLD WAITS FOR EVEN CLEANER ENERGY SOURCES.

>> THE GRID IS NOT CLEAN YET.

IT WILL GO IN THAT DIRECTION.

IT WILL TAKE TIME.

RIGHT NOW YOU CAN USE BIODIESEL AND IMMEDIATELY START REDUCING CARBON IN THE AIR.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, BIODIESEL CAN REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE DOE SAYS IT ACTUALLY PRODUCES 70% LESS CARBON DIOXIDE THAN DIESEL FUEL.

>> I DO FEEL LIKE SOME PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BIODIESEL FOR SOME REASON.

>> CHRISTINA MORA IS A SUPPORTIVE BIOFUEL.

FOR HER, THE DESIRE TO EXPLORE VERSATILITY BEGAN DURING AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> I WAS HEARING THINGS ABOUT PEOPLE USING ALGAE FOR FUEL LYNN HEARING THESE DIFFERENT IDEAS.

THIS SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SO MUCH MORE POTENTIAL OF THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH DIESEL THAN WHAT I COULD HEAR OF THINGS WITH GASOLINE.

I WANTED AND ALL DIESEL ENGINE, >> WHEN HER FIRST CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, SHE KNEW HER NEXT COVERED BE A DIESEL.

>> I FOUND A MERCEDES THAT WAS NOT RUNNING IT FOR $500.

>> GETTING THE MERCEDES RUNNING, HE WAS GIVEN A SECONDARY FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES SO SHE COULD HAVE THE OPTION TO RUN IT ON VEGETABLE OIL.

>> IT IS TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT PAYING FUEL TAX.

>> SHE DECIDED TO PUSH ON AND TEST THE LIMITS OF THE FUEL SOURCE.

>> I WAS TAKING CLASSES AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

I SAW SIGNS AT THE SCHOOL.

WANT TO LIVE IN SOME ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY THAT IS LIKE AN ALTERNATIVE TO URBAN SPRAWL?

I WAS LIKE, YES.

I WANT TO DRIVE THERE.

EVERYONE WAS FLYING.

ANYONE WANT TO DRIVE WITH ME?

I WAS COMMITTED WITH THE VEGETABLE OIL CAR.

>> THAT ROAD TRIP PROVED TO BE A MEMORABLE ONE.

REQUIRING HER TO FIND RESTAURANTS ALONG THE WAY THAT WERE WILLING TO LET HER PUMP USED VEGETABLE OIL INTO HER CAR.

>> I WOULD FIND A DINER OR SOMETHING AND BE LIKE DO YOU MIND IF I LITERALLY SIPHON OUT THE GREASE?

I HAVE A HAND PUMP.

I WOULD PUMP IT INTO A BUCKET.

IT WAS VERY DIRTY FOR THE TRIP.

HAND PUMP GREASE INTO A FIVE GALLON BUCKET.

I HAD THE SLEEVE SOCK FILTER THING.

I WOULD HANG OUT FOR BRANCH OF A TREE.

PUT A CLEAN BUCKET UNDERNEATH IT.

POUR THE WASTE VEGETABLE OIL FROM THE DUMPSTER AFTER I SIPHONED IT OUT INTO THE SLEEVE.

RUN IT THROUGH.

GRAVITY TAKES A WHILE.

ALL THE JUNK IS BUILDING UP ON THE SIDE.

>> AFTER THE EXPERIENCE WITH THE VEGETABLE OIL CAR, SHE DECIDED TO SWITCH TO RUNNING ON BIODIESEL.

SHE CURRENTLY DRIVES IN 1981 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY WITH THE DIESEL ENGINE.

>> IT WAS LIKE THE NEXT STEP IN TERMS OF THE EVOLUTION OF THAT.

LESS WORK.

WITH BIODIESEL, AND A SENSE, THE CONVERSION IS DONE FOR YOU.

HAS SAID AT ME PUTTING VEGETABLE OIL AND CONVERTING THE ENGINE TO RUN ON VEGETABLE OIL, THIS IS CONVERTED TO BE FUEL.

>> IT IS LEGAL.

>> AND IT IS LEGAL.

IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE BUT IT IS LEGAL AND YOU ARE SUPPORTING GOOD LOCAL BUSINESSES DOING GOOD THINGS AND RECLAIMING USED VEGETABLE OIL.

>> JUST OUTSIDE THE FACILITY THERE ARE 30,000 GALLON STORAGE TANKS.

ALL THEY ARE REGULARLY EMPTIED BY RETURNING CUSTOMERS, THE FUTURE OF BIODIESEL REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

>> THE WORLD IS POINTING AT 2050 AS A TIPPING POINT THAT WE HAVE TO ELIMINATE CARBON.

THAT MEANS NO ULTRALOW SULFUR DIESEL FOR THE ON ROAD TRANSPORTATION.

NO HEATING OIL FOR THE HOMES IN NEW ENGLAND.

NO NATURAL GAS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

YOU WILL GO FROM A FOSSIL FUEL DOMINATED LANDSCAPE WHERE BIODIESEL COULD GET A FOOTHOLD, AND IT WAS NOT EASY, TO ONE OF ALL RENEWABLES.

BIODIESEL HAS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT FITS IN THAT FUTURE ENERGY PIE.

AS IMPORTANTLY, ALL THE STEPS ALONG THE WAY.

>> THE NEW ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO BE VERY BIG ON MOVING TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY.

RENEWABLE SOURCES.

WHERE DOES BIOFUEL FITTED?

-- FIT IN IN THOSE PLANS?

>> LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION I SERVED IN, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION REALIZES YOU WILL NEED A LOT OF OPTIONS TO GET TO SUSTAIN THE ECONOMY AND MOVE TO THE KIND OF CARBON GOALS THEY NEED TO MOVE TO.

BIOFUELS IS VERY MUCH A PART OF THEIR PROGRAM.

IN THE LONG RUN THERE IS A GOOD REASON TO SAY SOME OF THE BIG VISIONS WE HAD TWO DECADES AGO OR A DECADE AGO, MAYBE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECONSIDERED AND THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT MOVE AWAY FROM THAT.

THERE ARE OPERATIONS LIKE NEWPORT BIODIESEL.

I THINK THEY ARE VITAL TO THE FUTURE.

>> OUR THANKS TO JOHN SMITH FOR THAT REPORT.

FORMULA ONE RACING ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2022 SEASON ALL CARS WOULD RUN ON GASOLINE BLENDED WITH 10% ETHANOL.

FOR THE RACING CARS SET TO ARRIVE IN 2025, FORMULA ONE WILL RUN ON A LABORATORY CREATED 100% SUSTAINABLE FUEL THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT.

WE TURN TO SOMETHING UNIQUELY RHODE ISLAND.

SINCE 2012, THE STATE HAS HAD ITS VERY YOUNG MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

70 ARE TO SET BEEN INDUCTED, BRIDGING MODERN-DAY TALENT WITH HISTORICAL FIGURES.

MANY HAVE MADE IT TO THE WORLD STAGE, MANY HAVE NOT.

BUT AS THOUGH BARTHOLOMEW FOUND, ALL THE INDUCTEES HAVE SHOWCASED THE EXTRAORDINARY TALENT THAT CONTINUES TO THRIVE HERE IN THE OCEAN STATE.

>> WE GET A LOT OF EMAIL AND MAIL FROM THE PUBLIC ASKING THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE BE CONSIDERED.

>> RICK IS THE VICE CHAIRMAN AND AN ARCHIVIST FOR THE RHODE ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

HE AND FELLOW BOARD MEMBER JAMES TOOMEY SAY THEY ANNUALLY CELEBRATE INDUCTEES THAT REPRESENT A WIDE RANGE OF TIME PERIODS AND AUDIENCES.

>> EVERY YEAR WE CHOOSE A NEW CLASS OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, WHO ARE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM, AND INCLUDE MANY HISTORICAL FIGURES EACH YEAR.

>> HISTORICAL FIGURES LIKE EARLY 1800S COMPOSER OLIVER SHAW ARE ENSHRINED ALONGSIDE ACTS LIKE 20 CENTURY ALTERNATIVE ROCK FINE -- PIONEERS GROWING MUSES.

HOW YOU EVALUATE AN ARTIST AND DETERMINE THEY SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME?

>> WE TRIED TO MAKE SURE YOU MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO RHODE ISLAND AND RHODE ISLAND'S MUSICAL HERITAGE, CAN YOU REALLY HAVE BROUGHT SOMETHING TO THE TABLE TO RHODE ISLAND.

>> RUSSELL IS THE OWNER OF THE BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATER, AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE RHODE ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

>> YOU MAY HAVE A NATIONAL REPUTATION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

IT IS WONDERFUL IF YOU DO BECAUSE THAT MEANS YOU WERE SPREADING THE WORD FURTHER.

WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THESE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO RHODE ISLAND MUSIC HERITAGE.

OUR GOAL IS TO PASS ON THAT HERITAGE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> RICK AND AL PABLO ENVISIONED WHAT TODAY'S HALL OF FAME IS COMPRISED OF.

>> HE WAS INFLUENTIAL ON THE RECORD COLLECTING COMMUNITY AND THE ROCK 'N' ROLL, RHYTHM AND BLUES COLLECTING COMMUNITY.

HE HAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST RECORD COLLECTIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> A SAYS HIS RECORD COLLECTING WAS ALSO A MAJOR ELEMENT OF THE HALL'S ORIGINS.

>> I ALWAYS HAD, BECAUSE OF MY PRIMARILY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER, WHO WERE BOTH MUSICIANS, I HAD A SPECIAL INTEREST IN RHODE ISLAND MUSICIANS.

SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING OFF TO THE SIDE OF MY REGULAR BEETLES IN BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD AND JOHN CULTURING RECORDS, I HAD THE SECTION OF RHODE ISLAND ARTISTS.

NET GREW AND GREW.

>> SEEKING A FORUM TO BUILD AN ARCHIVE OF LOCAL MUSIC COLLECTIONS, THEY BEGIN RAIN STORMING IDEAS.

IN 2012, THE RHODE ISLAND MUSIC HALL SET UP SHOP IN THE NEWLY OPENED HOBART TEASED VILLAGE IN PAWTUCKET.

JAMES TOOMEY IS A MUSICIAN, PODCAST HOST AND SITS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

>> OUR HALL OF FAME AND A LITERAL HALL IN ONE OF THESE MILLS.

HONOR OUR STATE HISTORY AND CULTURE, AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT THE TOURISM COUNCIL DOESN'T PAWTUCKET WITH ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL -- DOES IN PAWTUCKET WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL ARCHWAYS IN A PLACE PEOPLE CAN VISIT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE'S WITNESS 16.

-- MUSIC SCENE.

>> IT INCLUDES SOME OF RHODE ISLAND'S MOST WELL-KNOWN LOCAL BANDS, LIKE STEVE SMITH AND THE NAKEDS, AND ROOMFUL OF BLUES.

AS ALWAYS PEOPLE LIKE RANDY HYNDE, WHO BEFORE HIS DEATH IT 2006, OPERATED THE LIVING ROOM, A SPACE THAT HOSTED NATIONAL BANDS AND HAS PROVIDED A PLACE FOR LOCAL UP-AND-COMING ACTS TO REFINE THEIR CRAFT.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY FIGURES INCLUDE BILL FLANAGAN, WHO IS A WRITER AND PRODUCER DEVELOPED SOME OF VH1 AND MTV'S MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS, THE EDITOR OF MUSICIAN MAGAZINE, AND WROTE THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF U2 AND EILEEN FARRELL.

THE LATE GEORGE WEEN WAS ENSHRINED IN 2015.

>> AS BIG AL SAID WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING PUTTING MR. WEEN IN THE HALL OF FAME, HE SAID GEORGE WEEN INTRODUCED RHODE ISLAND TO THE WORLD.

>> WE ARE NOT THE RHODE ISLAND ROCK 'N' ROLL MUSIC HALL.

WE ARE THE MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND WE TRIED TO DO EVERY GENRE WE CAN THINK OF.

>> PRODUCING EVERY GENRE THEY CAN THINK OF BAGS THE QUESTION, DOES RHODE ISLAND DESERVE THE REPUTATION AS A STATE THAT SPAWNS GREAT MUSIC?

>> YES.

THE ANSWER IS YES AND YES, OR RATHER NO AND YES I GUESS.

>> PLAYING IN A BAND FROM PROVIDENCE, EAST PROVIDENCE TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, WE WOULD BE ON THE ROAD AROUND THE COUNTRY.

PEOPLE WOULD ASSOCIATE US WITH NEW YORK OR LONG ISLAND.

A BIG PART IS LETTING THE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD KNOW RHODE ISLAND IS A PLACE AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN MUSIC.

BUT IT'S ALSO TO HELP HIGHLIGHT THESE PLACES PROVIDE LENDERS AND HOURS -- FOR RHODE ISLANDERS IN OUR STATE.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY IS RHODE ISLAND MIGHT BE THE SMALLEST STATE BUT WE ARE VERY PERSISTENT IN OUR GOALS.

>> IN LESS THAN A DECADE THE RHODE ISLAND BASIC HALL OF FAME HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS OF ENCAPSULATING RHODE ISLAND'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO MUSIC IN A DIGESTIBLE FORMAT.

HOWEVER, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME.

>> EVERYBODY WHO GETS IN GETS A DISPLAY IN THE HALL OF FAME, GETS THE WRITE UP AT A LOT OF WORK.

THERE IS A LOT OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES STUFF THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.

WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT AND GIVE IT PERSPECTIVE THAT THESE PEOPLE DESERVE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIFE TO MUSIC.

>> OUR THANKS TO BILL ARTHUR LEMIEUX.

-- BARTHOLOMEW.

THEY ARE EXCITED TO RENEW THEIR FULL PROGRAMMING.

, MOST RIGHT ISLANDERS KNOW THEIR STATEHOUSE FOR ITS STRIKING BEAUTY.

SITTING ATOP SMITH HILL, WHEN THE ORIGINAL SEVEN HILLS IN PROVIDENCE.

IT IS CONSTRUCTED OF MORE THAN 327,000 CUBIC FEET OF MARBLE, AND SOME 15 MILLION BRICKS.

THE DOME IS THE FOURTH-LARGEST SELF SUPPORTED DOMINGO WORLD.

TONIGHT WE EXPLORE YOUR STATEHOUSE, FROM ITS CONSTRUCTION MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO TO ITS INNER TREASURE'S TODAY.

WE BEGIN WITH MORGAN GROVE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

SHE EXPLAINS HOW THE STATE WENT FROM FIVE SEATS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS TO JUST ONE.

>> JANUARY 1, 1901.

THE GENERAL SIMILE MOVES INTO ITS NEW HOME, THE GRAND MARBLE PALACE ON SMITH HILL, FOR GREAT RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE.

IN 1900, THE SECRETARY OF STATE MOVED IN BEFORE THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETED.

IT WOULD BE MONTHS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR AND HIS STAFF TAKE RESIDENTS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MOVED IN IN JANUARY AND BEGAN THEIR FIRST SESSION IN BUILDING THAT WOULD REPRESENT THE WEALTH AND POWER OF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

BY THE 19TH CENTURY, RHODE ISLAND WAS LARGELY OPERATING WITH TWO STATEHOUSES.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPENDING HIS TIME BETWEEN THE OLD STATE HOUSE ON BENEFIT STREET IN PROVIDENCE AND THE COLONY HOUSE IN NEWPORT.

SESSIONS WERE HELD IN DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS, DIFFERENT MONTHS.

THEY WOULD GO BACK AND FORTH AND HOLD SESSIONS WERE EVER EASIEST.

IN THE 19TH CENTURY, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, SECRETARY OF STATE AND A LOT OF THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE WAS CONDUCTED IN PROVIDENCE.

IT STARTED TO MAKE SENSE THAT PERHAPS ONE CAPITAL MADE MORE SENSE THAN HAVING MULTIPLE CAPITOLS, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL STATE.

THE STATEHOUSE IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING BUT IT WAS CLEAR EARLY ON IT WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE GROWING OPERATIONS OF A STATE THAT WAS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY AND POPULATION, AND A CITY THAT WAS BECOMING, IN FACT OVERWHELMED IN TERMS OF POPULATION.

THEY NEEDED TO OBTAIN THE LAND.

THEY NEEDED TO PICK A LOCATION THAT WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO MANY PEOPLE, BUT MAKE A STATEMENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICS IN THAT.

WHO OWNED THE LAND?

HOW WOULD YOU BUY THE LAND?

IT TOOK A WHILE TO CONVINCE THE POWERS THAT BE THIS WAS WORTH THEIR TIME AND ATTENTION.

IT WAS GOVERNOR HERBERT LADD WHO WAS ABLE TO MAKE THAT CASE INDISPUTABLY THAT A NEW STATEHOUSE IS NEEDED.

THEY AUTHORIZED $1.5 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON THIS BUILDING.

THEY QUICKLY FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

THEY FOUND, ACCORDING TO THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, THE WORKERS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR IN THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY.

THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY IS GROWING RAPIDLY IN PROVIDENCE AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

THEY SAY IT WAS THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDED THE BEST LABORERS THEY COULD FIND.

IT DID COST FAR MORE THAN THEY IMAGINED.

IT ENDED UP COSTING $3 MILLION RATHER THAN THE $1.5 MILLION THEY FIRST ALLOCATED.

THERE WAS ONE WORK STOPPAGE.

THEY HAD HEARD THERE WAS ANOTHER STATEHOUSE BEING BUILT IN MINNESOTA AND THEY WERE CONSTRUCTING A RATHER LARGE DOME FOR THAT CAPITOL.

THERE WAS AN ASSESSMENT IF OUR DOME SHOULD BE MADE BIGGER.

THE MINNESOTA DOME IS LARGER THAN OURS, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE FEW SLOWDOWNS OF THE WORK.

THERE WAS A SENSE DURING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL MOVEMENT.

THEY WERE LOOKING AT CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE, WHICH IS OFTEN INFUSED WITH A TEMPLE AND ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT GRAND MONUMENTS OF THIS PERIOD LIKE THE BASILICA.

THEY VIEW THAT AS A STATEMENT OF POWER AND REMEMBERING THAT THE STATE CAPITALS ARE REALLY SEEING AS TEMPLES TO DEMOCRACY.

OUR CAPITOL'S FUNCTION IN A SYMBOLIC WAY, THE STATEMENT OF THE SANCTITY OF DEMOCRACY, OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR ESTATE OR THE NATION.

THOSE BUILDINGS ARE BUILT AS MONUMENTS.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE ARGUED MARCUS LEE IS THE RELIGION OF AMERICA -- DEMOCRACY IS THE RELIGION OF AMERICA.

THESE BUILDINGS BECOME THE TEMPLES AND CHURCHES TO THAT PROCESS.

>> NOW WE HAD INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE WITH RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE NELLIE GORBEA FOR A LOOK AT MANY TREASURES RHODE ISLANDERS MAY JUST BE SEEING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

>> I AM RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE NELLIE GORBEA AND I WENT ABOUT M TO YOUR STATEHOUSE.

-- WELCOME YOU TO YOUR STATEHOUSE.

WHEN YOU FIRST COME IN THE FIRST THING YOU SEE IS THE GETTYSBURG GUN.

THIS AMAZING PIECE OF ARTILLERY HAS A CANNON BALL IN HIS MOUTH.

IT HAPPENED DURING THE BATTE OF GETTYSBURG.

THIS GUN TRAVELED ALL THE WAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO BE DISPLAYED AND ENDED UP AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE.

RHODE ISLAND HAD A LIGHT ARTILLERY AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE WINNING OF THE BATTLE.

WHEN YOU COME INTO THE BUILDING ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PIECES OF THIS WHOLE BUILDING IS THE ROTUNDA.

AT THE TOP ARE FOUR WOMEN PRESENTING LITERATURE, COMMERCE, JUSTICE AND EDUCATION.

AT THE VERY TOP YOU WILL SEE A DEPICTION OF ROGER WILLIAMS BEING GREETED BY THE NARRAGANSETTS AS HE APPROACHED WHAT THEN BECAME PROVIDENCE.

IN THE CENTER, RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE ROTUNDA, YOU WILL SEE WE HAVE THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, EXCEPT IT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED YET FOR THE NEW NAME WHICH REMOVES THE LANGUAGE PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

THE SECOND FLOOR IS THE HOME OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IT IS HOME TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER, WHICH WE ARE IN NOW.

75 SEATS FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING IS THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE.

THIS GREENROOM IS HOME TO THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE, WITH ITS SEATS FOR 38 STATE SENATORS.

IT IS SMALLER IN SIZE BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT TO OUR GOVERNING STRUCTURES AS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE STATE LIBRARY IS A BEAUTIFUL.

ROOM.

WE TRIED TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN THIS WAS THE LIBRARY REALLY FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO RESEARCH AND WRITE THEIR LEGISLATION.

IN THE TIMES OF GOOGLE THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

WE DO HAVE LIBRARIANS AND THEY HELP NOT JUST THE LEGISLATURE BUT ALSO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TRYING TO LOCATE RESEARCH ITEMS HAVING TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE A FEDERAL REPOSITORY AS WELL.

YOU CAN GET FEDERAL REPORTS TRACT DOWN AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE LIBRARY.

ONE OF THE MORE CURIOUS ITEMS IN THE STATE LIBRARY IS THE MOON ROCKS.

THE RHODE ISLAND FLAG THAT ACTUALLY WENT TO THE MOON AND APOLLO 11.

-- IN APOLLO 11.

THE STATE ROOM IS HOME TO MANY COMMUNITY RECEPTIONS, EVENTS HELD BY THE GOVERNOR AND BY THE COMMUNITY.

FEATURED PROMINENTLY IS A PAINTING BY GILBERT STUART OF PRESIDENT WASHINGTON.

THERE IS A SIMILAR ONE OF THESE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

HIS PAINTINGS ARE REALLY THE DEPICTION WE HAVE IN CURRENCY AND OTHER IMAGES WE USE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THIS PAINTING IS NEAT BECAUSE ANYWHERE YOU STAND IN THE STATE ROOM IT LOOKS LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON'S EYES ARE FOLLOWING YOU.

AFTER THE ORIGINAL TOWNS WERE STARTED, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO DEVELOP AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD PROTECT THESE LANDS FROM OTHER COLONIES.

THE TRIP WAS DONE TO GO TO ENGLAND TO GET A ROYAL CHARTER FROM THE KING.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE, INCREDIBLY SAFELY PROTECTED, IS THE ROYAL CHARTER.

THE ROYAL CHARTER OF 1663 DECLARED IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A LIVELY EXPERIMENT.

A CIVIL STATE MAY STAND AND BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL LIBERTY AND RELIGIOUS CONSIGNMENTS.

THIS IS THE FIRST DOCUMENT TO PROTECT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

I HOPE THIS QUICK TOUR HAS PIQUED YOUR INTEREST AND SOMEDAY YOU WILL JOIN ME TO VISIT AND TOUR YOUR STATEHOUSE.

>> OUR THANKS TO THE SECRETARY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

♪