Willard Kent

Willard Kent (1851–1924) was an architect and engineer of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

He was born on October 27, 1851 in Marshfield, MA. His parents were Warren Kent, a builder, and Eliza Weston Kent.^[2]

He had a varied practice, designing all types of buildings including schools, private residences, and office structures. In 1884, he opened offices in both Woonsocket and Narragansett Pier.^[3] For much of his working life, his Woonsocket office was located in the still-standing Longley Building. From his Narragansett office he designed several summer residences. In would appear that in his earlier years of practice, he was more known as a civil engineer. Kent had a number of students in his offices, the most notable of which being Walter F. Fontaine.

Architectural Works

• Willard Kent House, 21 Summer St., Woonsocket, RI (1883)
• Woonsocket Opera House, 37 N. Main St., Woonsocket, RI (1888) - This building was destroyed by fire in 1975 while awaiting restoration.^[4]
• Reservoir Pumping Station, 1464 Kingstown Rd., Rocky Brook, South Kingstown, RI^[5]
• Narragansett Pier Railroad Station, 145 Boon St., Narragansett, RI (1896)^[6]
• Four Gables, 12 S. Pier Rd., Narragansett, RI (1898) - This was Kent's own summer residence.^[7]
• Rose Lea, 410 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, RI (1898) - This was a guesthouse for George W. Cresson.^[8]
• Hope Street School (Former), 40 Hope St., Woonsocket, RI (1899)
• Joel N. Bense House, 103 Glen Rd., Woonsocket, RI (1917)^[9]
• Fifth Avenue School, 25 5th Ave., Narragansett, RI (1924) - This building currently serves as the Town Hall.^[10]

References