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

Samuel Comstock Pasture

Samuel Comstock Pasture

Providence Public Library

Image shows cows near a stream in the Samuel Comstock Pasture. A reproduction , VM013_FIC0651 is in the Rhode Island Photograph Collection.

Samuel Comstock house, Lincoln

Samuel Comstock house, Lincoln

Providence Public Library

Image of a home made of stone and wooden clapboard. Steps lead up to the front door. Samuel Comstock house, Lincoln, No. 1

Samuel Comstock house, Lincoln

Samuel Comstock house, Lincoln

Providence Public Library

Image of a home made of wooden clapboard and stone. The side of the house is predominate in the image, but the front of the house is also visible.

Samuel Comstock House

Samuel Comstock House

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Samuel Comstock House, built about 1680 in Smithfield, RI. The small stone and wood house has an outhouse in the yard. Trees, a woman, and another house are seen in the background. VM013_GC6413 is a reproduction in the Rhode Island Photograph Collection.

Sailboats

Sailboats

Providence Public Library

Image shows sailboats moored at pier in an unidentified harbor. Buildings and shops are visible on the shore.

Ruth Tallman grave

Ruth Tallman grave

Providence Public Library

Image of the grave of Ruth Tallman in Grace Church Cemetery in Providence, RI.

Runner

Runner

Providence Public Library

Image of an athlete running around a corner on a track. Crowds of spectators are seen on bleachers in the background. Original box label read "B.U. Pageant, 1914"

Ruins

Ruins

Providence Public Library

Image shows unidentified ruins of a stone building. Rubble is piled around the feet of two trees.

Rowboat

Rowboat

Providence Public Library

Image shows two people rowing a rowboat in calm water. The lawns on either side of the body of water are manicured. Trees growing on the edge of the water reflect in the water.

Rose bushes in front yard

Rose bushes in front yard

Providence Public Library

Image shows rose bushes growing in a yard on a residential street. A picket fence encloses the yard. Original box label reads "[illeg.] Price Garden C., 1916"

Rocky beach

Rocky beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a beach covered in rocks. A large rock sits in the water.

Rocky beach

Rocky beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a beach covered in rocks. A large rock sits in the water.

Rocky beach

Rocky beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a rocky beach. Evergreen trees grown on the edge of the beach. Large hills roll in the background.

Rocky beach

Rocky beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows a beach covered in rocks. A large rock sits in the water.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks on a beach.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks. Figures are visible on the rocks in the background.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks in the water on a beach.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks on a beach. Waves are crashing towards the beach.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks.

Rocks on beach

Rocks on beach

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rocks in the water on a beach.