April 20, 2012
Bristol resident and Providence native Paul Andrus arrived at the City Archives recently to do genealogical research on his family roots. A recent retiree, Paul took up the hobby of woodworking and has become skillful at furniture making and repair. Just to the left of the archives entrance he spotted a decidedly old table that was in obvious need of TLC. Two of its four legs had broken off giving the table a decided tilt. Worse still, the surface was worn and scratched in a number of areas. Paul sensed an opportunity to help save a small part of his native city's history so he asked Archivist Paul Campbell if he could volunteer to restore the city hall relic. "I grew up in Providence," Andrus said, "so I wanted to give something back." The result, said Campbell, is very impressive. The piece, dating from the late 19th century and made of cherry wood, now boasts solid legs and a richly grained polished surface. 
The story, however, gets even more interesting. Campbell was curious about the table's origins and did some research on its history. Searching the Archive's graphics collections he discovered a photo of Mayor Frank F. Olney dating from about 1894 sitting at this very table! Positioned in the center of the mayor's office in front of the elaborate fireplace and atop a palace-sized oriental rug, it was the table used by the mayor when meeting with guests to his office. Changes in office décor, however, at some point consigned this original piece of City Hall furniture to the largely unnoticed 5th floor entrance to the archives. Now, with its important history revealed and its life renewed, the table is sure to attract attention. Perhaps someday it might even make a return visit to the mayor's office.