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

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a calm body of water. Trees on the water's edge grow at an angle over the water.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a shallow body of water with large rocks. Mountains are visible behind trees growing next to the water.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large body of water. Trees grow densely on the shoreline. Mountains are visible in the distance.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified body of water running through a wooded area. Mountains are visible in the distance.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water next to a dirt path.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified body of water. The water appears very shallow and small rocks emerge from the water.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a group of people sitting on the edge of a body of water.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large body of water. Houses are visible on the other side of the water. Mountains or large hills are visible in the background.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

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

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a road running by a body of water. Mountains are visible in the background.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water. A large rock is in the foreground and mountains are visible in the distance.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water surrounded by trees with bare leaves. A small island is in the center of the water.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rock formations around a body of water, possibly the Wright Quarry in Lincoln, RI.

Body of water

Body of water

Providence Public Library

Image shows an unidentified body of water rushing between large rock formations.

Boats near Newport

Boats near Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows several boats moored in water outside Newport, RI. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912"

Boats in harbor

Boats in harbor

Providence Public Library

Image shows sailboats moored in a harbor. A windmill is visible in the background.

Boat on a pond

Boat on a pond

Providence Public Library

Image of small row boats moored at a dock on a pond surrounded by forest. A small stretch of beach is seen in the foreground. Original box label reads "Diamond H [label torn off]", possibly Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Boat in water

Boat in water

Providence Public Library

Image shows a rowboat in an unidentified body of water. Trees grow densely around the water and mountains are visible in the background.

Billboards along street

Billboards along street

Providence Public Library

Image of billboards, houses, and electric lines seen from the opposite side of an empty street. Original box label read "Billboards, '16".

Billboards along street

Billboards along street

Providence Public Library

Image of three people standing underneath billboard signs along a muddy street. A wagon on the street is partially visible. Original box label read "Billboards, '16".

Benjamin Belknap House

Benjamin Belknap House

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Benjamin Belknap House in Johnston, Ave. A dirt path leads from the dirt road to the house. A barnlike structure is attached to the house. Back of glass plate reads: Benjamin Belknap House, Johnston. Greenville Pike. 1st town meeting held here & town organized. Pillars for arcade taken from quarry about 1/2 mile back of house.

Benjamin Belknap House

Benjamin Belknap House

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Benjamin Belknap House in Johnston, Ave. A large barn is built at the back of the house. A large wooden cart stand on the dirt road in the foreground.

Beach goers

Beach goers

Providence Public Library

Image shows a crowded beach. Women and children are visible in the water. People stand on a wooden pier in the background. People sit fully dressed on the beach under umbrellas.

Beach bathers

Beach bathers

Providence Public Library

Image shows bathers on a beach. Beach goers wear bathing suits and sit on the sand. A woman sits holding a dog. People stand on a boardwalk near a hoisted row boat.

Beach

Beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a sandy beach. A sailboat sails in the water in the distance.

Beach

Beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a sandy beach. Boats are visible in the water in the distance.

Baseball players

Baseball players

Providence Public Library

Image shows baseball players standing in a line in a yard. The baseball players are in uniform and wear catcher's gloves.

Barn scene

Barn scene

Providence Public Library

Image of a group of people in the distance, sitting in the shade next to a barn. An open field is in the foreground Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Barn and other building

Barn and other building

Providence Public Library

Image of a large wooden building of unidentified function. The building has double doors on its front, and a barn is seen next to it. A ladder up a tall structure is seen in the foreground. Original box label read "Exeter, 1914".

Bare oak tree

Bare oak tree

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large oak tree with bare branches in snow covered field. Original box label reads "R.W. Park, [illeg.] Farm, [illeg.], H.H., Ice pictures, Jan. 1915"