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

Family Portrait

Family Portrait

Providence Public Library

Image shows an older woman seated holding a baby. Two men stand on either side of the woman. The wall behind them is covered with wallpaper.

Family in Lawn of Mansion

Family in Lawn of Mansion

Providence Public Library

Image shows a woman and two children sitting in the lawn of a mansion. The children hold flowers in their hand.

Families on Porch

Families on Porch

Providence Public Library

Image shows families standing on the porch of a three-story building. A horse and cart stands next to the porch.

Fall River Line, Office

Fall River Line, Office

Providence Public Library

Image shows car parked on street outside the Newport Traveler Co. Shop windows read "Fall River Line for New York" and "Greene's Steamship Agency Tickets & Tours". Images of boats are on display in window. Debris from construction are in foreground.

Falconer statue

Falconer statue

Providence Public Library

People in rowboats near The Falconer statue in Pleasure Lake in Roger Williams Park.

Fabre Line Steamship Plaque

Fabre Line Steamship Plaque

Providence Public Library

Photograph of a plaque commemorating the arrival of the steamship Providence to port in Providence, Rhode Island. The plaque is decorated with images of an anchor, and the meeting of a Native American and a boat of Europeans, surrounded by wreaths. The border is decorated with aquatic and floral motifs.

F.P. & S.A. Conley milliners

F.P. & S.A. Conley milliners

Providence Public Library

Street view of Conley's Millinery. Several people are seen standing in the entrances, and hats are visible in the windows.

Express wagon

Express wagon

Providence Public Library

A person sitting on a large wagon drawn by two horses. Signs for businesses are seen on the buildings in the background, including City Loan Co.

Exhibit at the U.S. Naval War College Museum

Image shows an exhibit inside the U.S. Naval War College Museum. Ephemera is displayed in glass display cases throughout the room. Military uniforms hang in a display case in the background.

Excursion bus

Excursion bus

Providence Public Library

An open-air tourist bus full of passengers looking at gardens and a fountain in Roger Williams Park.

Exchange Place, Providence

Exchange Place, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows Exchange Place in Providence, RI. The statue is in the center of the plaza. Union Depot, Providence City Hall are visible.

Exchange Place, Providence

Exchange Place, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows buildings at Exchange Place. There are horse drawn carts and people in the streets. First Baptist Church is in background.

Exchange Place, Providence

Exchange Place, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows buildings at Exchange Place. There are horse drawn carts and people in the streets. First Baptist Church is in background.

Exchange Place, Providence

Exchange Place, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows Exchange Place in Providence, RI. Bajnotti Fountain sits in the center of a park in foreground. Buildings on Exchange Place, including the Butler Exchange are in background.

Exchange Place

Exchange Place

Providence Public Library

View of Exchange Place at Westminster and Weybosset Streets, looking toward Exchange Street. Signs for businesses on buildings include National Exchange Bank, New York Life Insurance Co., Gaspee Fire & Marine ins. Co., and S. W. Peckham, Attorney at Law.

Exchange Place

Exchange Place

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of Exchange Place looking southeast, with the Industrial Trust Building in the center of the photograph.

Exchange Place

Exchange Place

Providence Public Library

Street view of Exchange Place looking south. The Rhode Island District Court is seen on the left of the frame.

Example of V ...- Mail

Example of V ...- Mail

Providence Public Library

Photograph of an example of V...- Mail (Victory Mail), used during World War II, addressed to Garrett Byrnes.

Equitable Building

Equitable Building

Providence Public Library

Corner view of the Equitable Building. Signs for Providence Coal Co., Equitable Insurance Co., and New England Steam Brick Co. are visible.

Eolus

Eolus

Providence Public Library

Steamboat Eolus, on line between Newport and Wickford, 1873 to 1891. Buildings are visible in the background. Several crew members are visible on board, including one looking through binoculars.

Entrance to Camp Yawgoog

Entrance to Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

A large stone and wood gate in the woods at Camp Yawgoog. Boy scouts in uniform are seen entering and exiting through the gate.

Enterprise Building

Enterprise Building

Providence Public Library

Corner view of the Enterprise Building. Visible signs include The Sterling Company, F.A. Chase & Co. Mill Supplies, and E. Winsor & Co.