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

Engine on railroad siding

Engine on railroad siding

Providence Public Library

Front and side view of a train engine on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad line, stopped with two men posing against its side.

Engine Company 8

Engine Company 8

Providence Public Library

firefighters on an engine outside of a brick building.

Empire Street

Empire Street

Providence Public Library

View facing north of pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and cars on Empire Street with signs for businesses on the buildings. The Emery Majestic Theater (now home to Trinity Repertory Company) at the northeast corner of Empire and Washington Streets is seen in the background.

Emmanuel Church Gymnasium Being Moved, Newport

Image shows construction workers posing for photograph during the moving of the Emmanuel Church gymnasium. The gymnasium is raised with box cribs in background. A crank and pulley system is in foreground. Two mules stand between a crank and the raised building.

Emmanuel Church Gymnasium Being Moved, Newport

Image shows construction workers posing for photograph during the moving of the Emmanuel Church gymnasium. The gymnasium is raised using box cribbing in background. A crank and pulley is in foreground.

Elmwood Avenue

Elmwood Avenue

Providence Public Library

Street view looking south of residential buildings, trees, and businesses.

Elmwood Avenue

Elmwood Avenue

Providence Public Library

Street view looking south of residential buildings and trees.

Elmwood Avenue

Elmwood Avenue

Providence Public Library

View from the middle of a four-lane highway, looking down its length toward a stoplight on a hill. Several cars are seen driving on this road. Factories and industrial buildings are built on both sides of the road.

Elms, Newport

Elms, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the front entrance of the Elms. A man is visible on standing on front stairs behind a tree. Ornamental sculptures of faces, Mascarons are above each window and door. Topiary trees line the entrance way.

Elm House, Newport

Elm House, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Elm House in the process of being raised for moving. Workers stand underneath the raised house.

Elizabeth Pabodie monument

Elizabeth Pabodie monument

Providence Public Library

View of gravestones in front of United Congregational Church. An obelisk monument for Elizabeth Pabodie is seen in the foreground.

Eleazer Arnold House

Eleazer Arnold House

Providence Public Library

Side view of the Eleazer Arnold House, a "stone-ender" style building, including a field surrounded by trees. The large stone wall and chimney is seen on the side of the house. A woman is looking into one of the windows at the front of the building.

Eleazer Arnold House

Eleazer Arnold House

Providence Public Library

Early photograph taken from the street of the stone ender Eleazer Arnold House, showing the building and its front lawn surrounded by trees and a small fence.

Edward Street Court, East of Edward Street, Newport

Image shows a house on Edward Street with clapboard siding and a gambrel roof. The front door is topped with a semi-circular fanlight and pediment. Laundry hangs in side yard and a garden is in foreground.

Édouard Carpentier

Édouard Carpentier

Providence Public Library

Portrait of the wrestler Édouard Carpentier. Carpentier is shirtless and wears wrestling shorts and boots.

Eddy Street

Eddy Street

Providence Public Library

Second story view of businesses and pedestrians on Eddy Street, looking south to Westminster Street.

Eddy Playground

Eddy Playground

Providence Public Library

Image shows children playing on a playground on Eddy Street in Providence, RI. A dog walks in front of a basketball hoop. The square playground is lined with houses.

Ebenezer Tyler house

Ebenezer Tyler house

Providence Public Library

A street sweeper standing in front of storefronts in the Ebenezer Tyler House, built 1742-4. A sign for Molter Lager Beer Brewery and bottles are in the window. A second hand clothing store is next door. The white building beside the house (possible a Customs House) has the numeral 103 over the door.

Easton's Point (Negro Head) Newport

Easton's Point (Negro Head) Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows large rock formation once called "Negro's Head" on Easton Point. Easton Bay is in center with Ocean Drive in background.

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows trolley cars and horse pulled carriages outside the Easton's Beach Pavilion. People walk on sidewalk in front of pavillion.