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

Fishing boats

Fishing boats

Providence Public Library

View from the shore of two empty fishing rowboats on the rocky shore. Lobster traps are also seen on the shore.

Fishing Boat, Hunter II

Fishing Boat, Hunter II

Providence Public Library

Image shows two men with a large fish on board the boat the "Hunter II". Houses on a hill are visible in the background.

Fishing Boat

Fishing Boat

Providence Public Library

Image shows fishermen on boat a fishing boat in a harbor. Other small fishing boats, and an island are visible in water. A town is visible in background.

Fishing (no boots and a can of worms)

Fishing (no boots and a can of worms)

Providence Public Library

View from behind of a person fishing, standing knee deep in a pond, with pant legs rolled up and a can in their pocket. The opposite shore is seen in the background.

Fishermen, Newport

Fishermen, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a worker carving ice blocks on wharf. Fishermen stand around barrels in background.

Fisherman, Newport

Fisherman, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows fishermen and large blocks of ice on wharf.

Fisherman, Newport

Fisherman, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a worker carving ice blocks on wharf. Fishermen stand around barrels in background.

Fisherman Posing with Catch

Fisherman Posing with Catch

Providence Public Library

Image shows a fisherman posing with his catch. The smiling fisherman holds a long fish using both hands. He wears a cap, wool sweater and tall boots. A gas pump is behind him.

Fisherman Posing with Catch

Fisherman Posing with Catch

Providence Public Library

Image shows a fisherman posing with his catch. He holds the fish up with both hands and a fishing pole leans against his arm.

First Universalist Church

First Universalist Church

Providence Public Library

First Universalist Church on the corner of Union and Westminster Streets in Providence, Rhode Island. Workers are building a stone foundation to the right of the church.

First Universalist Church

First Universalist Church

Providence Public Library

Photostat of the First Universalist Church on the corner of Union and Westminster Streets in Providence, Rhode Island. Workers are building a stone foundation to the right of the church. Same image as VM013_WC0531.

First Congregational Church

First Congregational Church

Providence Public Library

Photograph of the First Congregational Church on the corner of Benefit and Benevolent Streets in Providence, Rhode Island. A figure in a top hat stands on the front steps.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. He leans against a ornate wooden table.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. She stands in front of a backdrop and holds a small book.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. He stands with a rosary in his left hand. His right hand rests on a small table with a vase of flowers.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. He stands with his hands together, holding a rosary.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of two girls standing in front of a house on a sidewalk. The girl on the right is dressed for First Communion. She rests her right hand on the shoulder of the younger girl next to her.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. She stands next to a basket of roses. The portrait was in the same photograph portfolio as VM013_FIC0824 and appears to be the same woman.

First Communion Portrait

First Communion Portrait

Providence Public Library

Portrait of a child dressed for First Communion. He stands holding a rosary in both hands.

First Baptist Church in America

First Baptist Church in America

Providence Public Library

Image shows a side view of the First Baptist Church in America. The church is built on a hill and Waterman Street runs in the foreground.

First Baptist Church Entrance

First Baptist Church Entrance

Providence Public Library

Entrance to the First Baptist Church and surrounding lawn. Two people in uniform are seen lying on the lawn in the background.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church

Providence Public Library

Rear view of the First Baptist Church from uphill, on a snow covered street.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the First Baptist Church, with College Hill visible in the background.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church

Providence Public Library

Side view of the First Baptist Church. Accompanying text reads: "Dedicated 1775. Meeting House of the oldest Baptist Congregation in America. Originally founded by Roger Williams in 1638."