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

Farmland

Farmland

Providence Public Library

Image of a farmhouse seen in the distance behind a field of tall grass and small trees, with a stone wall running across the foreground. Original box label read "Dia. Hill-99", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Farmland

Farmland

Providence Public Library

Image of farm buildings on top of a hill, with wooden fences separating pastures in the foreground. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Farm

Farm

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a farm. A stream leads from a body of water in the foreground, behind a large tree. A farm and fields are visible in the background.

Farm

Farm

Providence Public Library

Image shows several cows standing in a field. The field is enclosed by a wooden fence and stone wall.

Farm

Farm

Providence Public Library

Image shows a farmhouse and pastures. Mountains are visible in the background.

Family portrait

Family portrait

Providence Public Library

Image shows a family portrait of a mother, father, young boy and infant.

Family portrait

Family portrait

Providence Public Library

Image shows a family portrait. A young boy stands between his seated mother and father. An infant sits on the mother's lap.

Family portrait

Family portrait

Providence Public Library

Image shows a family in the front yard of a large three story house. The house has a large front porch and a smaller side porch.

Family portrait

Family portrait

Providence Public Library

Image shows a family portrait. A young boy stands between his seated mother and father with his left hand resting on his father's leg. An infant sits on the mother's lap.

Family on cliffs

Family on cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows a mother, father and boy standing on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The boy points into the distance.

Exchange Place

Exchange Place

Providence Public Library

Image shows Exchange Place in Providence, RI. Providence City Hall, Central Fire Station, federal courthouse and steeple of the First Baptist Church in America are visible.

Excavation

Excavation

Providence Public Library

Image shows an excavation of earth for unidentified purposes. Footprints are visible on the soil. Tree tops are partially visible above the excavation.

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image of a sculpture depicting Esek Hopkins in military uniform. The sculpture is located in Hopkins Square, Providence and sits on a pedestal behind a wrought iron fence. Rows of houses are seen in the background.

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image of a sculpture depicting Esek Hopkins in military uniform. The sculpture is located in Hopkins Square, Providence and sits on a pedestal behind a wrought iron fence. Rows of houses are seen in the background.

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Esek Hopkins Statue, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image of a sculpture depicting Esek Hopkins in military uniform. The sculpture is located in Hopkins Square, Providence and sits on a pedestal behind a wrought iron fence. Rows of houses are seen in the background.

Empty interior

Empty interior

Providence Public Library

Image of the interior of a building, possibly a barn or attic, with exposed structural beams, and whitewashed walls and floor. Windows are seen on two levels of the building. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Electric lines on hillside

Electric lines on hillside

Providence Public Library

Image of a single pole standing on a rocky hillside, with power lines extending in many directions from the pole. Original box label read "Dia. Hill-99", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows women and children in bathing suits at the edge of the wear on Easton's Beach in Newport, RI. A child walks a dog in the foreground. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows two women and two children sitting on wooden steps leading from the Easton Beach Pavilion to the beach. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912".

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows women and children and a dog at the water's edge of Easton's Beach in Newport, RI. Women and girls stand in the water, raising their dresses. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912".

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows beach goers at Easton's Beach in Newport, RI. People are seated on benches under an awning. People sit on benches, stools and lay on the beach. A photographer carries a large camera on the beach in the foreground. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912".

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows beach goers on the sand at Easton's Beach in Newport, RI. A child builds a sandcastle near the water. The pavilion and bathing houses are in the background. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows beach goers on the sand of Easton's Beach in Newport, RI. Most of the men and women are fully dressed, a few wear bathing suits. Bathhouses are in the background. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows beach goers sitting on the sand of Easton's Beach, Newport. A child plays in the sand in the foreground. A band is playing on a wooden pavilion. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows men walking on a sidewalk away from the Easton's Beach pavilion. Children in bathing suits play on large rocks on the beach in the foreground. Beach goers are on the beach and in the water in the background. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows women on a sidewalk towards the Easton Beach pavilion. A metal hand railing separates the sidewalk from the rocky beach. Cars are parked near the pavilion and swimmers swim in the ocean in the distance. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912".

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows Easton's Beach crowded with beach goers. Women sit on benches and in the sand fully dressed. Men and children are dress in bathing suits. Baby carriages, dogs and a rowboat are visible on the beach. A few beach goers are in the water. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Dunes

Dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep dune on a beach. Sailboats sail in the background.

Dunes

Dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep dune on a beach. A lighthouse is visible in the background.