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

View of mountains

View of mountains

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a plain. People are visible on the plain. Mountains are visible in background.

View of mountains

View of mountains

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water in a valley at the foot of a mountain.

View of mountains

View of mountains

Providence Public Library

Image shows a horse grazing near a body of water. Mountains are visible in the background.

View of mountains

View of mountains

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a body of water at the foot of several mountains.

View of land

View of land

Providence Public Library

Image shows a tree growing next to a path. The image is taken from an elevated vantage point and tree tops are visible into the distance.

View of fields

View of fields

Providence Public Library

Image of fields over hills, separated by small walls or by brush and trees. The fields are seen from on top of a pile of rocks on a hill. Original box label read "Diamond H., Fog Mill, Reservoir", believed to be Cumberland, Rhode Island.

View of fields

View of fields

Providence Public Library

Image of fields over hills, separated by small walls or by brush and trees. The fields are seen from on top of a pile of rocks on a hill. Original box label read "Dia.Hill", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

View from hill

View from hill

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a body of water from a hill. Several small buildings are visible.

View from hill

View from hill

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a body of water from a hill. Several hills and buildings are visible.

Vegetable garden

Vegetable garden

Providence Public Library

Image shows a farmer and child standing in a vegetable garden. Three large residential buildings are seen behind the garden. Original box label reads "Gov Garden [ill.], 1917" Due to original box label, it's assumed the garden was part of the 1916 Governor Beeckman's Garden Prize for Mill Villages. Three prizes were awarded: best vegetable garden, best flower garden and greatest improvement in general appearance of mill village.

Vegetable garden

Vegetable garden

Providence Public Library

Image of a vegetable garden, with a house and hill seen in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows a body of water that runs through a valley. Mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the distance.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of a valley with mountains in the background. Animals are visible in the pasture next to a farmhouse.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of valleys between hills. A stone wall runs in the foreground of the image. A body of water and mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a large valley. Mountains are visible in the background.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the distance.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows trees growing in a valley. Mountains are visible in the distance.

Valley

Valley

Providence Public Library

Image show a valley between large hills. Mountains are visible in the background.

Unidentified house

Unidentified house

Providence Public Library

Image of the front of an unidentified house. There are no adjacent houses. A utility pole is installed to the left of house. A stone wall and walkway are also to the left of the house.

Unidentifiable image

Unidentifiable image

Providence Public Library

An unidentifiable image. A possible plant appears in the lower right corner of the image.

Two women dress for winter

Two women dress for winter

Providence Public Library

Image shows two women standing near a residential street. The women wear hats, fur coats and muffs.

Two houses on hill

Two houses on hill

Providence Public Library

Image of two houses built on a slight hill. The two story houses have front porches and face each other. Wooden stairs lead from the houses' shared front yard and leads to a road at the bottom of the hill. The hill of the house on right is landscaped with flowers and plants. A stone wall runs at the base of the hill. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Two children

Two children

Providence Public Library

Image shows two children standing near the edge of a body of water. A large rock fountain is visible in the water behind them. Original box label reads "Sweet"

Tugboat

Tugboat

Providence Public Library

Image shows a tugboat pulling three sailboats.

Trolley tracks

Trolley tracks

Providence Public Library

Image shows trolley tracks running on a brick street.

Trees along fence

Trees along fence

Providence Public Library

Image of tall, thin trees covered in ivy that grow along a stone wall and wooden fence separating fields. Original box label read "Dia. Hill-99", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.