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.
Image shows a parade float and parade participants depicting the Boston Tea Party during Fourth of July celebrations. Costumed men are dressed as Native Americans walk along and are seated on a float of "The Dartmouth". Onlookers line a residential street to watch the parade.
Image shows children participating in a Fourth of July parade. The children hold American flags while parading on a residential street. Onlookers line the street.
Image shows costumed men dressed as Native Americans and men in military uniforms walking with a small parade float in a Fourth of July parade. A portrait of George Washington is in the center of a floral star at the top of the parade float.
Image shows a parade float and parade participants depicting the Boston Tea Party during a Fourth of July parade. Costumed men are dressed as Native Americans sit inside a "The Dartmouth" atop a float being pulled by horses and walk along the float. The parade participants are passing the Central Fire Station in Providence, RI. Pedestrians walk near the General Burnside Monument in a park in Exchange place.
Image of athletes playing American football in a field, with crowds of spectators standing on bleachers on both sides of the field. Original box label read "B.U. Pageant, 1914"
Image shows an interior view of a room with a fireplace. A wooden chair and rocking chair sit in front of the fireplace. A clock and decorative tableware are visible on the mantel above the fireplace.
Image shows an interior view of a room with a fireplace. A wooden chair and spinning wheel are next to the fire place. Formal tableware are on display in a built in corner bookshelf. Decorative plates with portraits, including one depicting George Washington are on display on a table under a framed painting of a child.