PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It’s been nearly four years since Rhode Islanders voted to remove “Providence Plantations” from the state’s legal name.

Though the phrase was quickly stripped from legal documents, it has still been present throughout the Rhode Island State House.

That is, until now.

The State House is in the process of being modernized, according to Rhode Island Department of Administration spokesperson Laura Hart.

Hart said the state had experts evaluate where the words appeared throughout the building and which could be removed without damaging the façade.

So far, the brass elevator doors with the state’s original seal on them have been replaced. Hart estimated that this cost the state more than $200,000. The state has also already covered the phrase on seals, decals, plates and plaques throughout the building.

Hart said the state is currently working on having a new rug made for the State Room, which is expected to cost around $300,000, as well as a marble ring to cover the phrase on the seal at the center of the rotunda.

The granite near the lower level entrance is in the process of being flipped over so a new seal can be installed, Hart added.

The state’s legal name — the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — was first established back in 1790 when it declared statehood.

Rhode Islanders voted to remove “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s formal name in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, which spurred a nationwide reckoning with racial injustice. Though the word “plantations” itself didn’t specifically refer to the place where slaves labored, those who sought the its removal argued that it was offensive because it elicited such imagery .

It’s unclear exactly how long the process to remove the phrase from the State House will take.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.