Rhode Island photograph collection

The Rhode Island Photograph Collection is a collection of photographs that document the landscape and life of Rhode Islanders across the state from the mid 19th century through the 20th century. The collection grew over time as the Providence Public Library had photographs donated to them from a variety of donors. There are an estimated 6,000 plus images in this collection.
This collection is part of Providence Public Library Digital Collections, hosted by Providence Public Library.

Items in this collection

Thorndike Hotel

Thorndike Hotel

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Thorndike Hotel facing the waterfront. the hotel has signs for the "Jamestown Office Newport Daily News" and for "Ice Cream & Confectionery". Houses are visible in background.

Thomas W. Arnold

Thomas W. Arnold

Providence Public Library

Photograph of several carriage businesses including Thomas W. Arnold Carriage and Sign Painter, A.M. Read Carriage Smithing and Jobbing, and S. W. Norton Carriage Manufacturers. Several men as well as carriages and wagons are outside the building.

Thomas Street

Thomas Street

Providence Public Library

Street view looking west down a hill of buildings along Thomas Street. Pedestrians are seen on the sidewalk.

Thomas Street

Thomas Street

Providence Public Library

Street view looking east up a hill of buildings along Thomas Street. Cars and pedestrians are seen in the street, and signs outside buildings advertise Oakes on the Hill and Providence Art Club.

Thomas Fenner House, Cranston

Thomas Fenner House, Cranston

Providence Public Library

Image shows the rear of the Thomas Fenner House also called the Sam Joy Place. Figures stand in the yard of the farmhouse.

Thomas Fenner Homestead, Cranston

Thomas Fenner Homestead, Cranston

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Thomas Fenner House also called the Sam Joy Place. Figures stand in the front yard of the farmhouse.

Thomas Eadie, Diver, Newport

Thomas Eadie, Diver, Newport

Providence Public Library

Portrait of Thomas Eadie, a U.S. Navy Diver. Eadie is wearing a leather jacket, glasses and cap.

Thomas A. Doyle statue

Thomas A. Doyle statue

Providence Public Library

A gathering of men in uniforms at the Thomas A. Doyle statue, decorated with plants. A brass band is seen playing in the foreground.

Theodore Francis Green Airport, Hillsgrove

Image is of an American Airlines plane on the runway of the Theodore Francis Greene Airport. Entire plane is shown and "Flagship Bridgeport" is written on the side of the plane.

Theatre-by-the-Sea

Theatre-by-the-Sea

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the Theatre-by-the-Sea and parking area, surrounded by farmland. Houses and the ocean are seen in the background.

Theatre Comique

Theatre Comique

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view from the opposite corner of the street of the Theatre Comique.

Theatre Comique

Theatre Comique

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view from the opposite corner of the street of the Theatre Comique.

The White Church

The White Church

Providence Public Library

Front and side view of the White Church from the opposite side of the street.

The Wedding of John Fitzgerald Kennedy to Jacqueline Bouvier

Group portrait of President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy and wedding attendants at Hammersmith Farm. Their attendants are gathered around them, sitting on the ground, standing and sitting on a wooden fence. One of the attendants is grabbing Jacqueline Kennedy's dress, and she looks down at him laughing.

The Towers, Narragansett

The Towers, Narragansett

Providence Public Library

Image shows The Towers in Narragansett, RI. Two towers are connected with a stone arch over the Ocean Drive.

The Towers

The Towers

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Narragansett Towers, two towers connected with a stone arch over the road.

The Parade Seen from the Perry House, Newport

Image shows view from the Perry House (13-19 Touro Street) of six horses and carts parked along Eisenhower Park on Washington Square. People work along sidewalks in front of stores and shops.

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

Providence Public Library

Air Officer aboard the carrier USS Cabot (CVL-28) at Quonset Point, R.I., explains battle history sign to student ensigns during their visit from the wave officer school at Newport.

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

Providence Public Library

Image shows Wave Officers lined in formation. Attached note reads: "Ensign Nancy Chapman, Company Adjutant of Class W-6 of the Officer Indoctrination Unit (W), presents her company during graduation ceremonies."

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

Providence Public Library

Image shows Wave Ensign Mary E. Pettit and an unidentified man listing to a headphone. Attached note reads: "Checking Out" with lookout-observer aboard the LSI-954 is Ensign Mary E. Pettit, then a student at the Officer Indoctrination Unit (W), during field trip aboard ships in Narragansett Bay at Newport."

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

The Navy Indoctrinates Wave Officers

Providence Public Library

A Wave Officer wearing her uniform and dark gloves stands at a steering wheel. Attached note reads: "Taking a turn at the wheel during visit aboard the USS Cabot (CVL-28), is Ensign Jean List, student at the Officer Indoctrination Unit (W) of the U.S. Naval School General Line, Newport, R.I."

The Mohican Ferry

The Mohican Ferry

Providence Public Library

Image shows passengers on front deck of the Mohican ferry.

The Hummocks

The Hummocks

Providence Public Library

View across a pond of buildings on a ridge, lined with trees.

The Great Gale of 1815

The Great Gale of 1815

Providence Public Library

Photograph of a framed painting depicting the Great Gale of 1815. Water is seen up behind the first floor of buildings, and smaller buildings and sailing ships are being knocked over and destroyed.