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

Photo of Old Stone Mill

Photo of Old Stone Mill

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old Stone Mill, also called Newport Tower in Touro Park. A short iron fence surrounds the Tower. Houses on Mill Street are visible behind trees.

Photo Editors

Photo Editors

Providence Public Library

Image shows photographs organized into groups on the floor. Men sit in what appears to be a makeshift office. Two jars of paste sit on a table covered with piles of papers. A covered piano is in the back of the room.

Pest House Pasture

Pest House Pasture

Providence Public Library

View of a pasture, dotted with stumps, rocks, and shrubs, and bordered in the background by a row of trees. The term "Pest House" referred to the State Alms House which housed the most infirm of Rhode Island's indigent population as part of the State Institutions at Howard, Rhode Island.

Perry (Marsden Jasiel) House

Perry (Marsden Jasiel) House

Providence Public Library

Panoramic image, composed of three smaller photographs, of the Perry House, a large house with wood clapboard siding on a stone foundation. A stone wall on top of a cliff is in the foreground. The background has been removed and other details have been accentuated.

Pendleton House

Pendleton House

Providence Public Library

View from the opposite side of the street of Pendleton House Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design, before an addition in 1926.

Pendleton House

Pendleton House

Providence Public Library

View from the opposite side of the street of Pendleton House Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design, before an addition in 1926.

Pembroke College, Providence

Pembroke College, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows Metcalf Hall at Pembroke College in Providence, RI. A man stands underneath a tree on the sidewalk next to the college building. Cars are parked along. From back of photo: " Pembroke College, Established 1892. Name changed in 1928 from the Women's College in Brown University.

Peck, Samuel Luther

Peck, Samuel Luther

Providence Public Library

Portrait of Samuel Luther Peck, businessman, born 1845, seen pictured against a plain backdrop.

Pearce (Earle D.) House

Pearce (Earle D.) House

Providence Public Library

Front and side view of the Pearce House from the opposite side of the street.

Peanut Joe's Stand Washington Square, Newport

Image shows a peanut seller on Washington Square in Newport, RI. The peanut seller stands next to his cart with a dog. Old Colony House is visible in background.

Pawtuxet River

Pawtuxet River

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a woman sitting in a rowboat with a dog on the Pawtuxet River near Washington.

Pawtuxet Cove

Pawtuxet Cove

Providence Public Library

View of boats moored in Pawtuxet Cove, with buildings and a stone bridge in the background.

Pawtucket Steamboat Co.

Pawtucket Steamboat Co.

Providence Public Library

Image shows Pawtucket Steamboat Co. General Machinists building. Signs on building read "Machine Shop", "Sanderson's Jewelers", "Pawtucket Standard Braid Co", "Pettigrew Dyeing & Cleaning".

Pawtucket High School

Pawtucket High School

Providence Public Library

Image shows front entrance of Pawtucket High School. Snow is on ground and in street.

Passengers on a Converted Bus

Passengers on a Converted Bus

Providence Public Library

Image shows passengers traveling on a converted luxury bus. The bus is carpeted and the windows have curtains. Plush bamboo chairs and sofa with striped fabric line the sides of the bus and face each other. Ashtrays sit between some of the seats.

Passengers at Wharf

Passengers at Wharf

Providence Public Library

Image shows people, ox-pulled carts and horse-pulled carriages at Old Harbor. A ferry is docked at the wharf and sailboats are visible in the harbor. Rowboats lay on the ground in the foreground.

Participating in Yacht Races

Participating in Yacht Races

Providence Public Library

Image shows five yachts racing in the Bermuda Yacht Races. Front sails of each yacht have varying shades and stripes.

Participating boats in Bermuda Yacht Races

Image shows aerial view of a yacht participating in the Newport Bermuda Yacht Races. Two motor boats are on either side of yacht and a small fire and rescue boat is in background.

Parked Cars at the Naval War College

Parked Cars at the Naval War College

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large field on the Naval War College campus. Cars are parked along a street in the foreground. Naval War College students are performing drills in the field.

Parked Cars at the Naval War College

Parked Cars at the Naval War College

Providence Public Library

Image shows a large field on the Naval War College campus. Cars are parked along a street in the foreground. Naval War College students are performing drills in the field.