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

Man in a field

Man in a field

Providence Public Library

Out-of-focus image of a man with crutches, believed to be James Newell Arnold, standing in an open field.

Man in a crop field

Man in a crop field

Providence Public Library

Image of a well-dressed man walking through a corn field. A large building, possibly a barn, is seen in the background.

Man holding infant

Man holding infant

Providence Public Library

Image shows a man holding an infant. The man wears a straw hat and polka dot vest. A woman is approaching the man and child and appears blurred from the movement.

Man at tombstone

Man at tombstone

Providence Public Library

Image of a man leaning on a gravestone while looking at another. He is believed to be James Newell Arnold at Captain Stephen Olney's grave, cataloging Rhode Island historical graves.

Man and dog on a porch

Man and dog on a porch

Providence Public Library

Image of an old man with a beard sitting in a chair on a porch, holding a stick. A dog and a stack of firewood are seen next to him, as well as a screen door into the house. Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Man and dog on a porch

Man and dog on a porch

Providence Public Library

Image of an old man with a beard sitting in a chair on a porch, holding a stick in the air. A dog and a stack of firewood are seen next to him, as well as a screen door into the house. Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified tool or part of machinery. A thimble hangs from thread on the device.

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a piece of machinery.

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows unidentified machinery. The machinery sits on a wooden pallet.

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified piece of machinery , possible part of a rotary press. The machinery sits in front of a draped backdrop.

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows industrial machinery in a large room.

Machinery

Machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows unidentified machinery. The machinery sits on a wooden floor. Sheets are draped behind the device as backdrops.

Living room

Living room

Providence Public Library

Image shows an interior view of a living room or study. A cabinet and bookshelf are tightly packed with books. Several taxidermy birds and plaster busts on are display in the room. Lace curtains cover the windows.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks in Lincoln Woods State Park. Fallen leaves cover the ground.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view from a hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks at the foot of a hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, RI. A small stream flows through the woods.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing on the side of a hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large rock on the peak of a small hill. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view from a hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing at the bottom of a slight hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a pond in Lincoln Woods State Park. Trees grown on a hill next to the water.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, RI. A small stream flows through the woods. A reproduction (VM013_FIC0068) is in the Rhode Island Photograph Collection.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a dirt path in Lincoln Woods State Park. Trees grow around large rocks next to the path.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large rock in Lincoln Woods State Park. Fallen leaves blanket the ground. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water in Lincoln Woods State Park. A large rock formation is visible in the distance. Fallen leaves blanket the ground around the water. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks in Lincoln Woods State Park. Fallen leaves cover the ground.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows a pond in Lincoln Woods State Park. Trees grown on a hill next to the water.

Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln Woods State Park

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing on the side of a hill in Lincoln Woods State Park. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"