SOUTER

PROVIDENCE — The U.S. District Court building commands the north end of Kennedy Plaza, and inside its storied chambers some of the state’s highest-profile legal cases have unfolded through the years.

On Friday, the centennial of the five-story granite courthouse will culminate in a gala attended by one of the highest justices in the land: Supreme Court Associate Justice David H. Souter. The General Services Administration and the United States Courts are hosting a program honoring the building, its architecture and history at 2 p.m. in the courthouse, at One Exchange Terrace. A reception will follow.

Speakers will include Chief Judge Sandra L. Lynch, of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals; Chief District Judge Mary M. Lisi and Dennis R. Smith, GSA regional administrator. Souter is not expected to speak at the event, which is open to the public.

The centennial was highlighted in February with a visit by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, the first sitting chief justice to come to Rhode Island on official business in more than two centuries. Since then, a series of lectures, educational programs and even a Circuit Court of Appeals session have marked the anniversary.

Friday’s celebration will be timed almost to the day of the official opening, in 1908, of the building housing the Post Office, Court House and Custom House, according to the GSA. The $1.3-million project included 3.5-million bricks, 1,465 tons of steel and 70,000 cubic feet of granite as well as mahogany paneling and Italian marble.

In 1961, the building was turned over to the GSA, following completion of the nation’s first automated post office elsewhere in Providence. It was renamed the Providence Federal Building and Courthouse and eventually underwent $18 million in renovations.

kmulvane@projo.com