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

Interior

Interior

Providence Public Library

Interior view of a workshop or store. Chairs and desks are arranged around the room. Pottery, small sculptures and a fountain are displayed around the room. The room has a high slanted ceiling with exposed beams.

Infield at Narragansett Race Track

Infield at Narragansett Race Track

Providence Public Library

View from above a crowd of spectators at the Narragansett Race Track. Racing horses can be seen running on the track on the right.

Infantry Hall

Infantry Hall

Providence Public Library

Infantry Building seen from across the street. A sign for a grocery market is seen in the building, and automobiles are visible in the street. In the left of the frame, a storefront for Old Coon Cigars is seen.

Infantry Hall

Infantry Hall

Providence Public Library

Infantry Building seen from across the street. A sign for a grocery market is seen in the building, and horse drawn carts are visible in the street.

Infantry Hall

Infantry Hall

Providence Public Library

Infantry Building seen from across the street. A sign for a grocery market is seen in the building, and horse drawn carts are visible in the street.

Infantry Hall

Infantry Hall

Providence Public Library

Infantry Building seen from across the street. A sign for a grocery market is seen in the building, and automobiles are visible in the street. In the left of the frame, a storefront for Old Coon Cigars is seen.

Industrial National Bank, Providence

Industrial National Bank, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Industrial National Bank buildings on Weybosset Street in Providence, R.I. The three-story brick building is topped with a brick pediment. The ground floor has a series of arches with iron fencing. The upper floors have quoins and roof is lined with balustrades. The facade of the building still stands with support on Weybosset Street. The building was designed by Howe, Prout & Ekman Architects.

Industrial Buildings

Industrial Buildings

Providence Public Library

Image shows laborers posing for photograph outside a mill building. The mill is built next to a body of water.

Industrial Buildings

Industrial Buildings

Providence Public Library

Image shows a horse-drawn cart outside an industrial building. The building is build along a body of water.

Industrial Area

Industrial Area

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of an industrial area. A ship is visible docked along a wharf.

Industrial Area

Industrial Area

Providence Public Library

Image shows a river running through an industrial area. Mill buildings are visible on the left side of photograph. Wooden carts sit in a vacant lot on the right side of photograph. A stone bridge and other industrial buildings are visible in background.

Indian Soapstone Quarry

Indian Soapstone Quarry

Providence Public Library

View of a large rock formation with hollows and markings carved into it. A house is visible in the background.

Indian Soapstone Quarry

Indian Soapstone Quarry

Providence Public Library

View of a tablet mounted on large rock formation indicating the site of a former Indian stone quarry.

Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Providence Public Library

Waves breaking over a rocky section of the shoreline, facing out toward open water. A fishing boat is seen in the distance.

Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Providence Public Library

Waves breaking over a rocky section of the shoreline, facing out toward open water.

Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Providence Public Library

Waves breaking over a rocky section of the shoreline, facing out toward open water. A fishing boat is seen in the distance.

Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Providence Public Library

Waves breaking over a rocky section of the shoreline, as seen along the coast. A small boat is seen in the distance in open water.

Indian monuments

Indian monuments

Providence Public Library

A row of stone monuments on a grassy bank, dedicated to (from left to right) Miantonomo, the Aspanansuck Indian Village, and Wawaloam, wife of Miantonomo. A fence, house, and trees are seen behind the monuments.

Indian corn field

Indian corn field

Providence Public Library

View from a hill of forests and corn fields, north of Warwick Pond. Some small roads and fence posts are seen in the background.

Independent Man

Independent Man

Providence Public Library

The Independent Man statue on the cupola of the dome of the Rhode Island State House.

Ida Lewis, Tom, Rudolph, etc.

Ida Lewis, Tom, Rudolph, etc.

Providence Public Library

Group portrait of Ida Lewis (center) with Tom, her brother Rudolph, and two unidentified women. Lewis has her hand on a lying dog, another dog sits next to one of the men.

Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport

Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport Harbor. The city of Newport is visible in the background.

Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport

Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport Harbor. The city of Newport is visible in the background.

Ida Lewis Yacht Club

Ida Lewis Yacht Club

Providence Public Library

Image shows sailboats in Newport Harbor. Ida Lewis Yacht Club is in foreground. Goat Island and Newport are in background.

Ida Lewis Light

Ida Lewis Light

Providence Public Library

Image shows sailboats in Newport harbor sailing near the Ida Lewis Rock Light, now the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Figures are visible on the deck surrounding the Ida Lewis Rock Light. The building is two stories and a skeleton tower light is built on deck behind it facing the harbor. Fort Adams is visible in background.

Icy Streets

Icy Streets

Providence Public Library

Image shows buildings on an icy street. A stone building with broken windows is behind a short wooden fence. Clumps of ice lay in the street and are piled near the sidewalk.

Icy Streets

Icy Streets

Providence Public Library

Image shows buildings on an icy street. A stone building with broken windows is behind a short wooden fence. Clumps of ice lay in the street and are piled near the sidewalk.

Icy Shoreline

Icy Shoreline

Providence Public Library

Image shows boats laying on shore near a house on a hill. A partially frozen body of water is in foreground.

Hunter House, Newport

Hunter House, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Hunter House on Washington Street in Newport, Rhode Island. The three-story house has a balustrade running around the top of its gambrel roof. A rounded decorative pediment is above the front door. A dark picket fence runs in front of the house.

Hunter House, Newport

Hunter House, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Hunter House, and other houses on Washington Street in Newport, Rhode Island. The three-story Hunter House has a balustrade running around the top of its gambrel roof. A rounded decorative pediment is above the front door. A dark picket fence runs in front of the house. Cars are parked along Washington Street.