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

Church and chimney

Church and chimney

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone building, most likely a church, with a bell tower next to a brick chimney stack.

Church

Church

Providence Public Library

Image of a wooden church seen from the front, with boarded up and broken windows. A short wooden fence is in front of the church.

Church

Church

Providence Public Library

Image shows a small church with a steeple and a stained glass window. A cemetery is visible on the far side of the church in the distance.

Christmas tree

Christmas tree

Providence Public Library

Image shows open presents on display under a decorated Christmas tree. Gifts include a pair of shoes, glassware, ties, scarves, books savings bonds and works of art. Original box label reads "C. T[ill.] Garden, 1917"

Christmas tree

Christmas tree

Providence Public Library

Image shows open presents on display under a decorated Christmas tree. Gifts include a pair of shoes, glassware, ties, scarves, books savings bonds and works of art. Original box label reads "C. T[ill.] Garden, 1917"

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Providence Public Library

Image of The Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, MA. The cathedral features a large, round window. Two women and an automobile are on the grounds.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Providence Public Library

Image of The Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, MA. The cathedral features a large, round window. Several people are walking on the grounds and an automobile is parked in front of the building.

Chimney remains

Chimney remains

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone chimney standing in an area overgrown with brush and trees. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Chimney remains

Chimney remains

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone chimney standing in an area overgrown with brush and trees. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Chimney

Chimney

Providence Public Library

Image of the remains of a stone chimney, standing near small trees and bushes.

Chimney

Chimney

Providence Public Library

Over-exposed image of a stone chimney in a field. A road runs by the field in the foreground.

Childs playhouse

Childs playhouse

Providence Public Library

Image shows two girls and a boy on the front porch of a playhouse. A doll sits in a doll chair near the front steps. Curtains hang in the windows of the playhouse.

Childs playhouse

Childs playhouse

Providence Public Library

Image shows a boy and girl sitting on the front porch of a playhouse. A doll sits in a doll chair on the front porch between the children. Curtains hang in the windows of the playhouse.

Children studying in large room

Children studying in large room

Providence Public Library

Image of children sitting at tables reading. The setting is possibly a library. A large plant is near the center of the image. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, framed art is on the walls and bookcases can be seen against the back wall.

Children studying

Children studying

Providence Public Library

Image of children seated at a table studying. This image is very similar to VM014_G0001.

Children running

Children running

Providence Public Library

Image of three children running down a dirt road. A stone wall runs alongside the road.

Children researching

Children researching

Providence Public Library

Children seated at tables in a room reading and writing. This image is very similar to VM014_G0002.

Children playing

Children playing

Providence Public Library

Image of four children running and playing in a field, near horse drawn carriages and a stone wall.

Children playing

Children playing

Providence Public Library

Out-of-focus image of children running and playing in a field, with groups of adults watching in the background.

Children near rock

Children near rock

Providence Public Library

Image shows a group of children posing in front of a large rock. The children range in age and wear winter coats and hats. The initials "N.D." are written on the rock.

Children in yard

Children in yard

Providence Public Library

Image shows children seated near a large tree in the yard next to a house. The large house has a front porch. There is damage to the glass plate resulting in partial loss of the image.

Children in Lincoln Woods

Children in Lincoln Woods

Providence Public Library

Image shows five children sitting on rocks in Lincoln Woods State Park. A large rock is behind them. Original box label reads "[ill.] Sweet Negs. Lincoln Woods, July 1, 1920"

Children in library

Children in library

Providence Public Library

Children conducting research in a library. The children are seated at a table, reading, writing and using a card catalog.

Children farming

Children farming

Providence Public Library

Image of four children, two harvesting vegetables and two holding burlap sacks, working in a field.

Children farming

Children farming

Providence Public Library

Image of four children, two harvesting vegetables and two holding burlap sacks, working in a field.

Children conducting research

Children conducting research

Providence Public Library

Image of children seated a table reading and writing, most likely at a library. The back wall is lined with bookcases.

Children by cornfield

Children by cornfield

Providence Public Library

Image of four children posing crouching next to a cornfield, along a dirt road. A barn is seen in the background.