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

Cobblestone street

Cobblestone street

Providence Public Library

Image shows trolley tracks running on a cobblestone brick street.

Coastline

Coastline

Providence Public Library

Image of rocks and small plants along the shore of a large body of water. Hills are seen in the distance, across the water. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Clipper

Clipper

Providence Public Library

Image shows a clipper ship at a wharf. An American flag hangs from the rear of the ship.

Cliffs at beach

Cliffs at beach

Providence Public Library

Images shows a cliff and a large rocks on a beach.

Cliffs at beach

Cliffs at beach

Providence Public Library

Images shows a cliff and a large rock on a beach. Ships at sea are visible on the horizon.

Cliffs along water

Cliffs along water

Providence Public Library

Image taken from the grassy shore of a small pond or body of water, with high rock cliffs along the opposite side. Trees are seen on top of the rocks.

Cliffs along water

Cliffs along water

Providence Public Library

Image of a small pond or body of water, with high rock cliffs along the opposite side. Trees are seen on top of the rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks and cliffs. Small pools of water sit on the top of the cliffs.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified body of water surrounded by cliffs.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows a calm body of water at the bottom of tall cliffs. Trees grow on the top of the rocky cliffs.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against cliffs and large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against cliffs and large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against cliffs and large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows cliffs on a beach. Waves roll onto a sandy beach below the cliffs.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against cliffs and large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks and cliffs. Small pools of water sit on the top of the cliffs.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows water crashing against cliffs and the rocky shoreline.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against cliffs and large rocks.

Cliffs

Cliffs

Providence Public Library

Image shows a small beach at the foot of cliffs. Women walk down towards the beach. Two buildings are visible on the cliff in the background.

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men standing around a pile that is producing large amounts of steam at a clambake. Buckets and barrels are seen nearby.

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men and a child arranging rocks and logs for a clambake. A church is seen in the background.

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men and a child arranging a stack of rocks and logs for a clambake. A church is seen in the background, behind trees. Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men standing around a steaming stack of logs and stones at a clambake. Buckets and barrels are seen nearby.

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men and women standing near a steaming stack of logs and stones at a clambake. Buckets and barrels are seen nearby.

Clambake

Clambake

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of men standing around a pit producing large amounts of steam at a clambake. Buckets and barrels are seen nearby.

City rooftops

City rooftops

Providence Public Library

Image of clouds over rooftops in an unidentified city.

Church with round steeple

Church with round steeple

Providence Public Library

Image of a church atop a hill from the street. Several figures are standing outside of the building.

Church pulpit

Church pulpit

Providence Public Library

Image taken from the back of a small, plainly decorated church of unidentified denomination, toward the pulpit. Rows of pews are in the foreground. Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Church gathering

Church gathering

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone church seen from across its front lawn. A large group of people are seen gathered near its entrance.