Background
Alfred Stone was born in 1834 in East Machias, Maine, United States.
Alfred Stone was born in 1834 in East Machias, Maine, United States.
He received an early education in Massachusetts, graduating in 1852 at the English High School in Salem.
He went to Boston to enter the office of Arthur Gilman, and after a few years of training and experience assisted in preparing plans for a number of buildings in the city. One of the most important was the old Hotel Pelham, which Stone later supervised during its erection.
From Boston Mr. Stone moved to Providence, R. I., in 1859. As draftsman he found employment in the office of Alpheus Morse, and following the end of the Civil War in 1865, was associated with William H. Emerson for six years.
The next and most successful phase of Mr. Stone’s career began in 1873 when he entered into partnership with Charles E. Carpenter and under the name of Stone & Carpenter acquired a large practice. The firm was awarded many important commissions for both public and business structures in Providence, including the Court House and Public Library, (c.1900); New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Station; Central Police Station and District Court; Y.M.C.A. Building; Rhode Island State Prison and Almshouse; Lauderdale Office Building; Union Trust Company Office; Francis Office Building; Stanhope Building; Providence Institute of Savings; Exchange Bank Building; Pendleton Museum; several buildings at Brown University, Slater Hull, Lyman Gymnasium, Pembroke Hall, Saylor Gymnasium at the Women's College, and several schools, hospitals and private homes.
Stone & Carpenter also prepared plans for various buildings in other cities, among which should be mentioned the Town Hall and Public Library at Great Barrington, Public Library at Dalton, Mass., and numerous residences. Following the turn of the century a younger architect was taken into partnership and the firm’s name was changed to Stone, Carpenter & Sheldon.
old Hotel Pelham, Boston
(Stone supervised it during its erection)
Public Library at Great Barrington
(Stone & Carpenter)
Throughout his career, Mr. Stone was a prominent member of the profession, a long-time member and past-president of the Rhode Island Chapter, AIA He was elected to the Institute in 1879, raised to Fellowship in 1889, and after serving as National Secretary for five consecutive years (1893-98) became a member of the Board of Directors.