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

Building on a hill

Building on a hill

Providence Public Library

Image of a white building, possibly a church, on top of a hill and surrounded by tall grass. The building has columns over the front entrance and a square steeple with smaller pinnacles at each corner. Original box label reads "Diamond H [label torn off]", possibly Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Building Atop Hill

Building Atop Hill

Providence Public Library

Washed out image taken at street-level of a building with a turret or clock tower. Three trees are in front of the building.

Building

Building

Providence Public Library

Image shows a building, possibly a church in a rural area. The building has a belfry and cupola.

Building

Building

Providence Public Library

Image shows a two story building at the turn of a dirt road. Balustrades enclose the roof of the building. Utility line run along the road. Wooden barrels sit next to the front portico of the building. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Building

Building

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large six story building on a corner. A man crosses a street in front of the building.

Building

Building

Providence Public Library

Image of a building in a empty field. Two people stand on the front steps. The building has a side addition with rear porch. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Building

Building

Providence Public Library

Image of an overgrown building, possibly a barn, with a small dirt path leading into an entrance.

Brush between fields

Brush between fields

Providence Public Library

Image of brush and trees separating two fields, with a building, fence, and hill seen in the distance. Original box label reads "Diamond H [label torn off]", possibly Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Bridgham School

Bridgham School

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Bridgham School in Providence, RI. Students and teachers stand outside the large four story building. The students wear hats.

Bridge

Bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows a footbridge over rushing waters. Snow lays on the footpath along the water.

Bridge

Bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows a path running besides a stream a bridge crosses the water in the background. Thin tire tracks run through the lightly dusted snow on the road. Icicles hang from a bench that is built around a large tree.

Bridge

Bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows a bridge stretching over calm water. Trees grow at the water's edge. Image is out of focus.

Bridge

Bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows people sitting on the edge of a bridge. A bicycle leans against the railing. A large brick building, possibly a mill is visible in the background.

Brick building

Brick building

Providence Public Library

Image of a brick building along a road. A sign on the building points to nearby towns, indicating a location near Cumberland, Rhode Island. It reads "Manville 3 Miles, Albion 2 [1/2], Woonsocket 6 [1/4]."

Brick building

Brick building

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified large four story brick building.

Boy with rabbit

Boy with rabbit

Providence Public Library

Image shows two side by side portraits of a boy posing with his pet rabbit. The rabbit stands on a pedestal.

Boy with Pig

Boy with Pig

Providence Public Library

Humorous illustration shows a young boy standing in snow with a pig. The boy writes "good luck" in the snow.

Boy sitting on felled tree

Boy sitting on felled tree

Providence Public Library

Image of a young boy sitting on a felled tree next to a ruin of a stone structure or a very robust stone wall.

Boy on swing

Boy on swing

Providence Public Library

Image shows a boy sitting on a swing in the yard of a house. Small trees grow along a wooden fence that encloses the yard. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Boulders on a hill

Boulders on a hill

Providence Public Library

Image of a rocky outcropping made of large boulders on top of a wooded hill.

Boulder and tree

Boulder and tree

Providence Public Library

Image of a tree growing next to a large boulder in an open field scattered with smaller trees.

Boston terrier

Boston terrier

Providence Public Library

Image shows a Boston terrier sitting on a porch. A woman sits a doorway and hold onto the dog's collar.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a group of trees growing on the edge of a large body of water. Mountains are visible in the background.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water with large rocks. Mountains are visible in the background.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a bench under tall trees that grow next to a body of water. Two mountains are visible in the background.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water at the foot of a hill or mountain. Mountains are visible in the background.