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

Side garden

Side garden

Providence Public Library

Image shows tall flowering plants growing at the side of a two story house.

Side garden

Side garden

Providence Public Library

Image shows a garden growing on the side of a residential building. Plants grow in a wooden (front) and stonewall (rear) plant bed. Two women and a child are visible inside a screened porch. An American flag hangs from the house. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Shops

Shops

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large five story building. Storefronts occupy the ground floor. The corner shop is a pharmacy. A horse and carriage are stopped on the street.

Shipwreck

Shipwreck

Providence Public Library

Image shows a shipwrecked ship on a beach. The ship leans heavily to one side. Sand dunes are in the foreground, and the water in the background of image.

Ship deck

Ship deck

Providence Public Library

Image shows the main deck of a ship. An opening to the lower level is in the center of photograph.

Ship deck

Ship deck

Providence Public Library

Image shows the main deck of a ship. An opening to the lower level is in the center of photograph.

Ship

Ship

Providence Public Library

Image shows a ship sailing in an unidentified body of water.

Ship

Ship

Providence Public Library

Image shows a ship sailing in an unidentified body of water. A small rowboat is in the water in the foreground.

Ship

Ship

Providence Public Library

Image shows a ship at sea. A country flag with three vertical sections flies from stern of the ship.

Sentinel Hotel, Yosemite Village

Sentinel Hotel, Yosemite Village

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of the Sentinel Hotel in Yosemite Village. The hotel is three stories and has a long front porch and second floor balcony. Cliffs are visible in the background.

Scale

Scale

Providence Public Library

Image shows a scale with weights.

Scale

Scale

Providence Public Library

Image shows a scale with weights.

Santa Fe Eating House

Santa Fe Eating House

Providence Public Library

Image shows two women standing at the door of the Santa Fe Eating House.

Sand pit and equipment

Sand pit and equipment

Providence Public Library

Image of mining equipment on top of a high pile of sand or earth. A road and trees are seen below. Original box label read "Dia.Hill", believed to be Diamond Hill, Cumberland.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows steep sand dunes on a beach. A boat is visible in the distance.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes at a beach. A lighthouse is visible in the water in the background.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep sand dune. Water is visible in the background.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes on a beach.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep sand dune.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes on an unidentified beach. A ship is visible on the horizon.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows sand dunes.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep sand dune.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows plants growing on sand dunes.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes

Providence Public Library

Image shows steep sand dunes on a beach. The water is visible in the background.

Sand dune

Sand dune

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep sand dune. Land is visible on the other side of the water behind the dune.

Sand dune

Sand dune

Providence Public Library

Image shows a steep sand dune.

Sand dune

Sand dune

Providence Public Library

Image shows a tall sand dune. An unidentified beach is visible in the background.