James N. Arnold image collection

This collection contains over 1100 glass plate negatives and 201 print photographs created by and/or collected by James N. Arnold. Arnold's professional work as a historian and writer began in earnest in the 1880s. Arnold traveled throughout Rhode Island collecting and transcribing local church records, pension rolls, burial records and town papers. The images in the collection depict scenes across Rhode Island including beaches, farms and landscapes as well as activities and community events such as ice skating, parades, football games and community gardens.
This collection is part of Providence Public Library Digital Collections, hosted by Providence Public Library.

Items in this collection

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks. Figures are visible on the rocks in the background.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks in ocean

Rocks in ocean

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks protruding from the Atlantic Ocean. Waves crash in the foreground.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks. Foam bubbles between rocks in the foreground.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing between large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against rocks.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks of the coast. A lighthouse is visible in the distance.

Rocks

Rocks

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks on a hill.

Rock outcrops

Rock outcrops

Providence Public Library

Image of rock cliffs surrounded by trees and bushes. Logs that appear to have been cut and stacked are seen in the foreground. Original box label read "Dia. Hill-99", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Rock in Field, Cranston

Rock in Field, Cranston

Providence Public Library

Image of a field, with large rocks and trees scattered throughout. A rocky outcropping with thicker trees is seen in the background. Note reads "rock near pest house, Cranston"

Rock formations

Rock formations

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water in between two tall rock formations. Several levels of railed walkways are visible on the rocks.

Rock formations

Rock formations

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rock formations next to a unidentified body of water.

Rock formation

Rock formation

Providence Public Library

Image shows a rock formation in a wooded area.

Roadside

Roadside

Providence Public Library

Image of a grassy bank along the side of the road, shaded by large trees.

Road

Road

Providence Public Library

Image shows a road running through a wooded area. A mountain is in the background.

Road

Road

Providence Public Library

Image is heavily damaged and blurred and shows utility lines running along a road.

Ribbon

Ribbon

Providence Public Library

Image shows ribbon loosely bound around a piece of paper board.

RI federal court house

RI federal court house

Providence Public Library

Image shows a horse and carriage traveling on Washington Street in Providence, RI. The Rhode Island Federal Courthouse is in the background.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons

Providence Public Library

Image shows Rhododendrons plants growing in a garden.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons

Providence Public Library

Image shows stairs curving up a slight hill. Rhododendrons surround the stairway.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons

Providence Public Library

Image shows Rhododendrons growing in a garden. A cemetery is visible in the background.

Rhode Island Print Works, Cranston

Rhode Island Print Works, Cranston

Providence Public Library

Image of the abandoned Rhode Island Print Works factory in Cranston with broken and boarded up windows. The factory operated from about 1830-1860. Rock piles and stumps are seen in the foreground. Note reads "foot of Dug-away Hill".

Residential street

Residential street

Providence Public Library

Image shows the fork of two residential streets. Trees grown in a small corner lot.