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 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.

Old Field's Point

Old Field's Point

Providence Public Library

View from the end of a pier at Field's Point toward the water, and showing a farm on the shore in the background.

Old Field's Point

Old Field's Point

Providence Public Library

View from the end of a pier at Field's Point toward the water, and showing a farm on the shore in the background.

Old Field's Point

Old Field's Point

Providence Public Library

View from the end of a pier at Field's Point toward the water, and showing a farm on the shore in the background.

Old Custom House, South Main St.

Old Custom House, South Main St.

Providence Public Library

Photograph taken from across the street of a custom house on South Main Street. Heavy shutters are seen on all of its windows. To the left of the building are signs advertising Jones' Ale and Maurice Goulding & Co.

Old Custom House, South Main St.

Old Custom House, South Main St.

Providence Public Library

Photograph taken from across the street of a custom house on South Main Street. Heavy shutters are seen on all of its windows. To the left of the building are signs advertising Jones' Ale and Maurice Goulding & Co.

Old Colony, Engine No.12

Old Colony, Engine No.12

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Old Colony locomotive engine no. 12. Train engineers and worker pose for the photograph in the cab.

Old Colony Locomotive, Newport

Old Colony Locomotive, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a locomotive on train tracks in Newport, Rhode Island. " Gov. Bradford" is on the outside of the locomotive's cab.

Old Colony House, Newport; Easton House Right Rear

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. Easton House is visible behind the Old Colony House to the right. Shops along Washington Square are on the left.

Old Colony House

Old Colony House

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Old Colony House, also known as the Old State House, and its lawn seen from the street.

Old Colony (Steamer)

Old Colony (Steamer)

Providence Public Library

Full length photograph of steamboat Old Colony in open body of water.

Old Colony (Steamer)

Old Colony (Steamer)

Providence Public Library

Image shows the SS Old Colony docked at a Wharf in Newport Harbor. The SS Old Colony has two stacks, a large side wheel and a beam engine. The Newport Harbor Light on Goat Island and tall ships in the harbor are in the background of photograph.

Old Cathedral (Sts. Peter & Paul)

Old Cathedral (Sts. Peter & Paul)

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Cathedral between residential buildings, seen from the opposite side of the street.

Old Arsenal on Benefit Street, Providence

Image shows the State Arsenal, also called Benefit Street Arsenal, on Benefit Street. A car is parked on Benefit Street and the top of City Hall is visible in background.

Ogden Goelet Residence

Ogden Goelet Residence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the gardens of Ochre Court, the Ogden Goelet house. The garden has potted plants and a life sized figurative sculpture.

Office Staff of O'Gorman Co.

Office Staff of O'Gorman Co.

Providence Public Library

Photograph of the office staff of O'Gorman Co. posed around a table with books. Thomas A. O'Gorman is seated at the table, center.

Octagon House on Hartford Ave

Octagon House on Hartford Ave

Providence Public Library

Image shows an octagon house built on a slight hill located on the former Ochee Spring Quarry in Johnston, RI. The second floor of the house and roof are octagon shaped. Power lines run next to the house and large rocks sit in yard. The house was demolished when the RT 195 ramp was built nearby.

Ochee Spring

Ochee Spring

Providence Public Library

View of a former Indian soapstone quarry, a large rock formation with hollows and markings carved into it. A building with a sign reading "Ochee, the water of quality" is seen in the background, with several vehicles in its garage.

Ocean View Hotel, Block Island

Ocean View Hotel, Block Island

Providence Public Library

Image shows Shore Dinners Restaurant in center and Ocean View Hotel in background center. A pier extends from foreground right into center right.

Ocean House, Bellevue Avenue

Ocean House, Bellevue Avenue

Providence Public Library

Horse drawn carriages travel down Bellevue Avenue. The front balconies and veranda of the Ocean House is in center right of photograph.

Ocean Drive, Newport; Graves

Ocean Drive, Newport; Graves

Providence Public Library

Image shows a tombstone of George Cropper (1757-1772), son of Sebastian and Sabra Cropper, near the edge of Ocean Drive with rocky cliff and the ocean are visible in background. This section of Ocean Drive is now washed away.

Ocean Drive, Newport; Fishing Piers

Ocean Drive, Newport; Fishing Piers

Providence Public Library

Image shows the ruins of two fishing piers off of Ocean Drive. Ships and boats are in the water in background. Large rocks are in foreground.

Ocean Drive, Newport

Ocean Drive, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a woman and child sitting on rocks off of Ocean Drive. Behind them, waves crash against rocks in the ocean.

Ocean Drive, Newport

Ocean Drive, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows waves crashing against large rocks in the ocean. The sky is filled with clouds.