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

Sunset

Sunset

Providence Public Library

Image shows the sun setting over a large body of water. Sailboats sail in the distance and a rowboat sits on the beach in the foreground.

Streetcar

Streetcar

Providence Public Library

Image shows a streetcar traveling on a residential street. Houses line the left side of the street in the photograph.

Street gathering

Street gathering

Providence Public Library

Image of pedestrians gathered in the street near buildings, including J.C. Tucker Co., in Wakefield near the intersection of Main and Robinson Streets. Other people are seen on another building's roof and porch, looking in the direction of the crowd.

Street

Street

Providence Public Library

Image shows a crowded street line with shops. Signs for Dr. E. Thompson, Dentist and Stichiban Books and China Toys hang in the foreground of photograph. Horse pulled carriages travel in the street.

Stream

Stream

Providence Public Library

Image shows water cascading over rocks and into a pool of water in the foreground.

Stream

Stream

Providence Public Library

Image shows water cascading over rocks and into a pool of water in the foreground.

Stream

Stream

Providence Public Library

Image shows a narrow stream. A wooden fence runs next to the stream.

Stream

Stream

Providence Public Library

Image shows a stream with large rocks. A large mountain is visible in the background.

Stream

Stream

Providence Public Library

Image shows a shallow stream with large rocks. Cows graze in the background. Mountains are visible in the background.

Stonewall in snow

Stonewall in snow

Providence Public Library

Image shows a stone wall on snow covered ground. Bare shrubs or small trees grow next to the stonewall. Original box label reads "R.W. Park, [illeg.] Farm, [illeg.], H.H., Ice pictures, Jan. 1915"

Stonewall in field

Stonewall in field

Providence Public Library

Image shows a stonewall running through a field with wildflowers. Two people sit in the tall grass, leaning against the stonewall. A woman stands next to them. A body of water surrounded by trees is visible in the background.

Stonewall

Stonewall

Providence Public Library

Image shows flowering trees growing behind a stone wall.

Stonewall

Stonewall

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of fields separated by stone walls.

Stone tenement house

Stone tenement house

Providence Public Library

Image shows a carriage next to the ruins of a stone tenement house. An outdoor stone oven is visible in the backyard. Back of glass plate reads: a stone tenement house, Lime Rock, shows outdoor oven.

Stone structure

Stone structure

Providence Public Library

Image of a heavily overgrown structure made of stone and mortar.

Stone ruins

Stone ruins

Providence Public Library

Image of the ruins of a large stone building, overgrown with brush.

Stone entryway

Stone entryway

Providence Public Library

Image shows an entryway made of stone into cave like structure in the woods.

Stone cottage

Stone cottage

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone cottage by a small pond. Small trees are scattered across a hill behind the cottage.

Stone church

Stone church

Providence Public Library

Image of a stone church seen from across its front lawn.

Stone church

Stone church

Providence Public Library

Image shows two men standing on the steps of a large stone building, possibly a church. The building has stained glass windows.

Stone building with chimney

Stone building with chimney

Providence Public Library

Image of an unidentified stone building with a tall chimney, surrounded by a lawn with trees in the background.

Stone bridge

Stone bridge

Providence Public Library

Image shows a snow covered stone bridge. Snow covered trees grow on the banks next to the water.

Steam engine machinery

Steam engine machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a worker with an unidentified piece of steam engine powered machinery. A drape hangs behind the machinery in a workshop.

Steam engine machinery

Steam engine machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a worker with an unidentified piece of steam engine powered machinery. A drape hangs behind the machinery in a workshop.

Steam engine machinery

Steam engine machinery

Providence Public Library

Image shows a man sitting in an unidentified piece of steam engine powered machinery. A drape hangs behind the machinery in a workshop.

SS New Shoreham

SS New Shoreham

Providence Public Library

Image shows the SS New Shoreham near Newport, RI. Passengers are visible on all deck levels. Original box label reads "Newport, 1912".

Springfield City Library

Springfield City Library

Providence Public Library

Streetscape featuring a large stone building, the Springfield City Library. Two cars are parked along the curb.

Soccer team

Soccer team

Providence Public Library

Image shows a group portrait of soccer players. The players wear their uniforms which consist of high striped socks, shorts and turtleneck sweaters. A young boy sits with a soccer ball in the grass in the center of the team.

Snow covered yard

Snow covered yard

Providence Public Library

Image shows snow covering the yard of a house with shingle siding. Snow lays on the shrubs and trees in the yard. Original box label reads "C. T[ill.] Garden, 1917"

Snow covered yard

Snow covered yard

Providence Public Library

Image shows a three story house and yard during a snowstorm. The yard, trees and roofs of the house are covered in snow. A truck travels on a road in the background. Falling snow is visible in the photograph. Original box label reads "R.W. Park, [illeg.] Farm, [illeg.], H.H., Ice pictures, Jan. 1915"