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

Children

Children

Providence Public Library

Image shows children posing for the photograph. The children stand near a residential street. Houses are in the background. There is damage to the glass plate resulting in partial loss of the image.

Child riding toy horse

Child riding toy horse

Providence Public Library

Image shows a young child riding a toy horse. The horse stands on a platform with wheels.

Child riding toy horse

Child riding toy horse

Providence Public Library

Image shows a young child riding a toy horse. The horse stands on a platform with wheels. The child's foot is in a stirrup and they hold the horse's reins. A woman stands behind the child and is only partially visible.

Child on steps

Child on steps

Providence Public Library

Image shows a young child sitting on the bottom step of porch stairs. A pillow supports the back of the child.

Child in yard

Child in yard

Providence Public Library

Images shows a young child standing in a yard. A pillow sits on the bottom step of the porch stairs. The child wears a wide hat and hold a flower in their hand.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows an overgrown cemetery. Tombstones are partially visible behind tall plants.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows large gravestones in an unidentified cemetery. There is damage to the glass plate resulting in partial loss of the image.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image showing gravestones extending over hills in a cemetery. A fence runs along one side, and a house is seen in the background.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image showing gravestones extending over hills in a cemetery.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large gravestone rock with plaque in a cemetery. There is damage to the glass plate resulting in partial loss of the image.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows an overgrown cemetery. Tall grass grows around old tombstones.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a cemetery across the street from a church. A horse and cart travel on the street between the cemetery and church.

Cemetery

Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image of a cemetery with several headstones in the foreground.

Cascading water

Cascading water

Providence Public Library

Image shows water cascading over rocks and into a pool of water in the foreground. A bridge crosses over the water in the background. Buildings are visible through the trees.

Carriage

Carriage

Providence Public Library

Image of a view along a dirt country road, showing two people riding in a horse drawn carriage. Tall brush and trees line both sides of the road.

Car garage

Car garage

Providence Public Library

Image shows three cars parked inside a garage. The image is out of focus.

Canoe on a lake

Canoe on a lake

Providence Public Library

Image featuring a lake, or other body of water, surrounded by woods. On the lake, is a figure in a canoe. A walking path can be seen in the foreground.

Camera

Camera

Providence Public Library

Image shows a 19th century camera sitting on a table.

Caged Bear

Caged Bear

Providence Public Library

Image shows a black bear inside a caged enclosure.

Butterfly Factory, Lincoln

Butterfly Factory, Lincoln

Providence Public Library

Image of the side of a stone building, Butterfly Factory, No. 2. More of the building can be seen in item VM014_G0025. To the right of the image is a brick chimney or tower.

Burton House, Oaklawn, Cranston

Burton House, Oaklawn, Cranston

Providence Public Library

Image of the [illeg.] William Burton house in the Oaklawn neighborhood in Cranston showing house and its front lawn, with a tree and water pump.

Burial Hill Cemetery

Burial Hill Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows headstones in Burial Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, MA. First Parish In Plymouth and The Church of the Pilgrimage are visible in the background.

Burial Hill Cemetery

Burial Hill Cemetery

Providence Public Library

Image shows headstones in Burial Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, MA. The Church of the Pilgrimage is visible in the background.

Bunker Hill Monument

Bunker Hill Monument

Providence Public Library

Image shows tower of the Bunker Hill Monument. In the background, the exhibit lodge can be seen.

Bunker Hill Monument

Bunker Hill Monument

Providence Public Library

Image shows tower of the Bunker Hill Monument. In the background, the exhibit lodge can be seen.

Buildings along street

Buildings along street

Providence Public Library

Double-exposed image of two scenes showing buildings and trees along a street. Original box label read "Billboards, '16".

Building with waterwheel

Building with waterwheel

Providence Public Library

Image shows a wooden buildings with a water wheel in a wooded area. Image is out of focus.

Building with waterwheel

Building with waterwheel

Providence Public Library

Image shows a wooden buildings with a water wheel in a wooded area. Image is out of focus.