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

Narragansett Pier

Narragansett Pier

Providence Public Library

View facing open water of crowds of people on the beach and in the water. Some swimmers are standing on a dock in the water, and a steamboat is travelling past the beach.

Narragansett Pier

Narragansett Pier

Providence Public Library

View along the shore of people on the beach and in the water. Buildings are seen along the length of the beach, and a pier is seen in the background.

Narragansett Park

Narragansett Park

Providence Public Library

View of jockeys on racehorses running around a curve on the Narragansett Race Track. Crowds of spectators and a large glass building are seen in the background.

Narragansett Indian Church

Narragansett Indian Church

Providence Public Library

Front view of Narragansett Indian Church, built in 1859, "the last of three Christian churches which originally served the Indians of southern Rhode Island."

Narragansett Hotel

Narragansett Hotel

Providence Public Library

Narragansett Hotel seen from the opposite corner of the street.

Narragansett Hotel

Narragansett Hotel

Providence Public Library

Narragansett Hotel seen from the opposite side of the street.

Narragansett Hotel

Narragansett Hotel

Providence Public Library

Narragansett Hotel seen from the opposite corner of the street.

Narragansett Bay Oysters Company

Narragansett Bay Oysters Company

Providence Public Library

Image show the Narragansett Bay Oysters Company. Two Adams Express Company carts are full of Narragansett Bay Oysters Co. barrels.

Narragansett Bay Oyster Co.

Narragansett Bay Oyster Co.

Providence Public Library

Exterior view of the Narragansett Bay Oyster Co. on a body of water. A large pile of shells is seen within a fence.

Narragansett Bay Oyster Co.

Narragansett Bay Oyster Co.

Providence Public Library

Interior view of the Narragansett Bay Oyster Co. Several people are seen in the room, including a person closing barrels. Ice blocks are seen as well as many barrels.

Narragansett Bay and Pomham Light

Narragansett Bay and Pomham Light

Providence Public Library

View down the length of the shore of Narragansett Bay, showing Pomham Light on rocks and a steamboat in the background.

Narragansett (Ferry)

Narragansett (Ferry)

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Narragansett Ferry docked at Bowen's Wharf. A small boat with passengers and two sailors is in Newport Harbor. Bowen's Wharf is in background.

N.Y. Yacht Club, Newport

N.Y. Yacht Club, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows New York Yacht Club from Newport Harbor. Shops and stables of Newport and steeple of United Baptist Church are visible in background.

Mt. Hope and New Shoreham

Mt. Hope and New Shoreham

Providence Public Library

Image shows the SS Mount Hope and SS New Shoreham in Newport Harbor passing the Newport Harbor Light on Goat Island.

Mt. Hope

Mt. Hope

Providence Public Library

Image shows the SS Mount Hope in Newport Harbor. The Newport Harbor Light on Goat Island is in background. A rowboat with three figures is in the harbor in foreground.

Mrs. McVinny, Bishop's Mother

Mrs. McVinny, Bishop's Mother

Providence Public Library

Portrait of Mrs. McVinny. McVinny wear a dark velvet dress. She wears three strands of pearls, pearl earrings and round glasses.

Mrs. Beane's house

Mrs. Beane's house

Providence Public Library

Front and side view of Mrs. Beane's house and surrounding businesses and buildings from the opposite corner of the street.

Mrs. Bean residence

Mrs. Bean residence

Providence Public Library

View of a large house on the corner of Dorrance Street, with smaller buildings and shops on either side.

Mr. Morgan's Corsair, Newport

Mr. Morgan's Corsair, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the yacht "Corsair", owned by J.P. Morgan in water near Newport, RI. The yacht leaves a large wake in its trail.

Mr. Morgan's Corsair, Newport

Mr. Morgan's Corsair, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the yacht "Corsair", owned by J.P. Morgan in Newport Harbor. The Corsair has decorative carving on its hull.

Mowry (Roger) Tavern

Mowry (Roger) Tavern

Providence Public Library

Side view of Mowry Tavern, with other houses visible in the background. Two people are seen outside the building.

Mount Tom Summit House

Mount Tom Summit House

Providence Public Library

Aerial photograph the Mt. Holyoke Summit House, formerly known as the Mt. Tom Hotel on Mount Tom in Holyoke, MA. The hotel sits on top of the mountain looking over valleys. From rear of photograph: ' The Mount Tom Years (1901 - 1939) frequented by scores of Rhode Islanders during the 1920s & 1930s. Built in 1901, burned in May 1929 and finally razed in 1939.