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

Westminster Street

Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

View of pedestrians, cars, and trolleys on Westminster Street. The building at center is the Providence Journal Building at 203 Westminster Street. Signs advertising businesses are seen on the buildings including J.M. Gardner & Co., White Dental Parlor, and Ellingers Fall Hats.

Westminster Street

Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

View of pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages on Westminster Street, with heavy snow on the ground. Signs advertising businesses are seen on the buildings including J. W. Critchley and European School of Language.

Westminster Street

Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

Front view of buildings on Westminster Street with signs for businesses including Gaspee Fire & Marine Insurance Co., David Heaton 2nd Fine Jewelry, and S.W. Peckham Attorney at Law.

Westminster Street

Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

View of pedestrians on Westminster Street looking west from Dorrance Street. Signs advertising businesses on the buildings include the J.B. Barnaby Co.

Westminster Street

Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

Second story view of pedestrians and trolleys on Westminster Street. Sign for Dr. A Sawyer Oculist and Aurist (174 Westminster) at far right.

Westminster and Weybosset Streets

Westminster and Weybosset Streets

Providence Public Library

View of Westminster and Weybosset Streets looking toward Exchange Street. Signs for businesses on buildings include National Exchange Bank, New York Life Insurance Co., Gaspee Fire & Marine ins. Co., and S. W. Peckham, Attorney at Law.

Westerly Public Library

Westerly Public Library

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Westerly Public Library facing Broad Street. Pedestrians walk on sidewalk in front of the library. Cars are parked along Broad Street. Library Patrons stand on the front steps.

Weighing-in before race

Weighing-in before race

Providence Public Library

Two adults seen weighing a soap box derby car with a balance scale. Two children are seen in the foreground and spectators are seen behind a fence.

Weekapaug Beach Area

Weekapaug Beach Area

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of people on the beach and in the ocean. Rows of cars are parked behind the beach, and houses and a bridge are seen in the background.

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Providence Public Library

Wedding portrait of a bride. She stands in front of a prop staircase and holds a large bouquet of roses.

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Wedding Portrait, Bride

Providence Public Library

Wedding portrait of a bride. She stands in front backdrop with the image of a staircase. Her long veil is extends into the foreground of the photograph.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a wedding party. The bride and groom are seated on a bench. Another man and woman stand behind them.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with family. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Wedding portrait of a bride and groom. The couple stand side by side facing the photographer. The bride wears a crown of flowers over her veil and holds a bouquet of flowers. Her right hand rests on the groom's arm. The groom wears a dark suit with white gloves and his right hand rests on a chair.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with a family. Neighboring houses are visible in the background. The women wear corsages pinned on their dresses.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with family. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a man and woman, members of a wedding party standing in the yard. The woman wears a corsage on her jacket.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with two women. The woman to her right wears a corsage pinned on her dress. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with a woman. The woman standing with the bride also holds a bouquet of flowers and wears a large hat. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with a family. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with a family. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with a man. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of a bride standing in the yard of a house with three women. The woman to her right wears a corsage pinned on her dress. Another woman and a child stand to the side of the group posing for the photograph. Neighboring houses are visible in the background.

Wedding Portrait

Wedding Portrait

Providence Public Library

Wedding portrait of a bride and groom. The bride sits holding a bouquet of flowers on the ledge of a prop window. The groom stands inside the window behind her.