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

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows two children standing in foreground on Easton's Beach. Figures stand on beach and in pavilion in background

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows figures on boardwalk and beach. A beach chair rental booth is on beach center left.

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a woman sitting on steps. A child sits at her feet on sandy beach with a pail and shovel. A man and woman sit behind them. Figures sit on pavilion in background.

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image men sitting on benches on railed sidewalk at beach. Allen's Cafe is center right, the beach pavilion is center, and the beach is right.

Easton's Beach, Newport

Easton's Beach, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows figures on boardwalk and beach. A beach chair rental booth is on beach center left.

Easton House, Court House Street

Easton House, Court House Street

Providence Public Library

Stanhope photograph of Easton House facing Court House Street. Vines grow around front door and the bottom of house.

Easterner

Easterner

Providence Public Library

Closeup rear view of the sailboat Easterner sailing with a rocky land mass seen in the distance. Several people are seen on board, as crew and passengers.

East Side tunnel

East Side tunnel

Providence Public Library

View from railroad tracks of a streetcar passing through a tunnel. Several men are seen standing on the tracks. Houses are seen up the hill from the tunnel.

East Prov. Expressway

East Prov. Expressway

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the East Providence Expressway (now called I-195), facing west toward the Washington Bridge in the background. Buildings seen are primarily residential, and include athletic fields.

East Passage

East Passage

Providence Public Library

Side view of a sloop sailing in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, near Newport. Other boats and the shore are seen in the background.

East Greenwich parade

East Greenwich parade

Providence Public Library

View down the street of people in uniform on horseback. Spectators line both sides of the street.

East from Long Wharf

East from Long Wharf

Providence Public Library

Image shows shops and bars along Long Wharf. Long Wharf runs through the center of the photograph, ending at the Old Colony House in background center. Signs for bars, pubs and The News Stand are on left side of street. The Brick Market, and "Little Capri" are on right side of Long Wharf. The street and sidewalk are wet from rain.

Early Rhode Island School House

Early Rhode Island School House

Providence Public Library

Image shows an early Rhode Island School House. The one-story school house has a gable roof, and two windows on its side facing a fenced in side yard.

Early Rhode Island House

Early Rhode Island House

Providence Public Library

Image shows a house with a gambrel roof and shingled siding. The house has a portico and a tall tree in the front yard.

Early Rhode Island House

Early Rhode Island House

Providence Public Library

Image shows a saltbox house. The house has shingled siding and a central chimney. Children are in the front yard of the house.

Early photo of Armory, Benefit St. Providence

Image shows the Benefit Street Arsenal. Image also shows two neighboring buildings, a street lamp and a street sign for the corner of Benefit St and Arsenal Lane.

Dyer Estate, Bellevue Ave, now Vernon Court

Image shows the front of the Dyer Estate, now called Vernon Court facing Bellevue Avenue. The mansion has a porte cochere, and windows with striped awnings. A tall hedge runs along Bellevue Avenue.

Dwight D. Eisenhower on Warship

Dwight D. Eisenhower on Warship

Providence Public Library

Image shows Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie Eisenhower standing on the deck of a warship. Eisenhower wears a matching houndstooth hat and suit jacket.

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie Eisenhower

Image shows President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower standing outside with another couple. The women wear formal dresses and pearl jewelry. They both wear fur coats.

Dunes Club

Dunes Club

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of the Dunes Club along the empty beach in Narragansett. The club is comprised of many different styles of buildings, including a main hall, and smaller buildings arranged in semi-circles. Other buildings are seen further back from the beach, among trees and fields.