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

Old Stone Mill, Newport

Old Stone Mill, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old Stone Mill, also called Newport Tower in Touro Park. A short iron fence surrounds the Tower. A child stands in front of the tower.

Old Stone Mill, Newport

Old Stone Mill, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old Stone Mill, also called Newport Tower in Touro Park. A short iron fence surrounds the Tower.

Old Stone Mill

Old Stone Mill

Providence Public Library

Tintype shows the Old Stone Mill in Newport, RI. A short fence surrounds the mill.

Old Stone Mill

Old Stone Mill

Providence Public Library

View of a circular stone tower, the remains of a mill, with arched openings around its base and covered in vines. The tower is surrounded by a wrought iron fence.

Old steam saw mill

Old steam saw mill

Providence Public Library

The remains of an old saw mill, showing rusted metal and deteriorated wooden pieces, with a wooded area seen in the background.

Old State House, Newport

Old State House, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old Colony House facing Washington Square. The building is three stories, with a balcony on the second floor above the front entrance. A large clock flanked by two round windows is in the center of the third floor. A cupola sits in center of roof. The first floor has awnings over a few windows.

Old State House Providence

Old State House Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old State House on Benefit Street. A paved path leads to the State House, which is built on a hill. Figures are visible on the stairs of the State House.

Old State House Plaque

Old State House Plaque

Providence Public Library

Photograph of plaque on a brick wall marking the location of the State House from 1762 to 1900.

Old State House

Old State House

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Old State House and its lawn seen from the street.

Old State House

Old State House

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Old State House and its lawn seen from the street.

Old State House

Old State House

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Old State House and its lawn seen from the street.

Old State House

Old State House

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Old State House seen from the street.

Old State House

Old State House

Providence Public Library

View of the Old State House seen behind a wall, taken from the old Quaker Meeting House.

Old St. Paul's Church

Old St. Paul's Church

Providence Public Library

Old St. Paul's Church seen from behind a wooden fence. Burying grounds are seen in front of the church.

Old Railroad Station

Old Railroad Station

Providence Public Library

View down the length of the Old Railroad Station, with carriages passing by in the foreground.

Old Railroad Station

Old Railroad Station

Providence Public Library

View from across an open square down the length of the old Union Station. Wagons, trolleys, and pedestrians are seen passing in front of the building. More buildings including a church are seen in the background.

Old Railroad Station

Old Railroad Station

Providence Public Library

Street view of the remains of Union Railroad Depot after a fire.

Old Railroad Station

Old Railroad Station

Providence Public Library

View down the length of the Old Railroad Station, with carriages passing by in the foreground.

Old Railroad Station

Old Railroad Station

Providence Public Library

View down the length of the Old Railroad Station, with carriages passing by in the foreground.

Old Narragansett Church

Old Narragansett Church

Providence Public Library

The Old Narragansett Church, the oldest Episcopal church north of the Mason-Dixon line. A burying ground is seen in the foreground, surrounded by a stone wall.

Old Market Building

Old Market Building

Providence Public Library

Side and rear view of the Old Market Building in Market Square. Horse drawn carts are seen on the street in front of the building, and more businesses are seen in the background.

Old Man Rock

Old Man Rock

Providence Public Library

View toward open water from the shore of a large boulder called "Old Man's Face" in shallow water, with a distinctive profile. Other smaller rocks are seen in the foreground, and a ship is sailing in the distance.

Old Man in Valley

Old Man in Valley

Providence Public Library

Image shows an older man sitting on a wooden chair in a field. He holds a cane under his arm.

Old House, Jamestown

Old House, Jamestown

Providence Public Library

Image shows a house with clapboard siding and a gambrel roof. Shutters on first floor of house are closed and boarded. The house sits in a fenced yard.

Old horse car

Old horse car

Providence Public Library

Two street railroad conductors standing at the front of a horse-drawn trolley. One is holding the reins to the two horses that pull the trolley, and both men are holding a bouquet of flowers. Other trolleys in a garage are seen in the background.

Old Home Week

Old Home Week

Providence Public Library

Street view of decorations for Old Home Week. The corner of the Shepard Building (80 Washington Street) is at right. O'Keefe's clothing store is on the corner of a large commercial building decorated with bunting and flags. Many pedestrians are seen on the streets.

Old Grist Mill before restoration

Old Grist Mill before restoration

Providence Public Library

A man clearing tall grass with a scythe, in a break in a stone wall. In the background, seen between trees, is a windmill with clapboard siding and a domed roof. The arms of the windmill are damaged.

Old Grist Mill before restoration

Old Grist Mill before restoration

Providence Public Library

View from behind a windmill, looking over a body of water. The windmill has clapboard siding, and its arms are damaged.