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

Fourth of July parade

Fourth of July parade

Providence Public Library

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.

Fourth of July parade

Fourth of July parade

Providence Public Library

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.

Fourth of July parade

Fourth of July parade

Providence Public Library

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.

Fourth of July parade

Fourth of July parade

Providence Public Library

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.

Fountain

Fountain

Providence Public Library

Image shows miniature wooden chairs around a fountain. A circular driveway leads to a house in the background.

Forest

Forest

Providence Public Library

Image of a thickly wooded area.

Football match

Football match

Providence Public Library

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"

Foot bridge

Foot bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows a hooded figure standing on a footbridge over calm water. Trees with bare leaves grow along the water.

Flower gardens

Flower gardens

Providence Public Library

Image of a path made of wooden boards through flower beds.

Floating barges

Floating barges

Providence Public Library

Image shows two floating barges in an unidentified body of water.

Flag pole

Flag pole

Providence Public Library

Image of people seated on a row of benches along a fence, by a flagpole. Buildings and trees are seen in the background.

Fishing on cliffs

Fishing on cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks. A man is fishing on the cliffs.

Fire place

Fire place

Providence Public Library

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.

Fire place

Fire place

Providence Public Library

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.

Field with cows and houses

Field with cows and houses

Providence Public Library

Image of a field on a hill, with a cow standing by a tree and houses seen in the background.

Field and trees

Field and trees

Providence Public Library

Image of trees and brush lining the edge of a grassy area, seen in the foreground.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image shows a field. The image is out of focus.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of an open field, with large rocks, trees, and a fence scattered throughout.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a field, with brush and small trees around its edges.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image shows a cleared field next to a wooded area. The image is out of focus.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Out-of-focus image of a wire fence in a grassy area, with large trees and brush lining the edge of the field.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a field with large stones scattered throughout. Several large trees stand in and near the field.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a field with buildings, including a smokestack, seen in the background.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a field surrounded by a wooden fence. Buildings, including a church, are seen in the background.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a large field, with some boulders scattered throughout. Trees lining the field's edge are seen in the background.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image of a field with several trees standing in and near the edges of the field.

Field

Field

Providence Public Library

Image shows a fence separating a field from a wooded area.

Ferns and boulder

Ferns and boulder

Providence Public Library

Image of a bed of ferns at the base of a large boulder.

Fenced meadow

Fenced meadow

Providence Public Library

Image of a fence running along a grassy area. A building is seen at the right of the image,

Fence

Fence

Providence Public Library

Image shows a damaged wooden fence that crosses over a narrow stream. Large rocks sit next to the stream.