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

Civil War Soldiers

Civil War Soldiers

Providence Public Library

Image shows three Civil War Union soldiers sitting in front of tents at a war camp.

Civil War Soldiers

Civil War Soldiers

Providence Public Library

Image shows three Civil War Union soldiers sitting in front of tents at a war camp.

City Street

City Street

Providence Public Library

Image shows pedestrians and horse pulled carts traveling in a cobblestone street. Trolley tracks cross the street in the foreground. Stores and shops are on both sides of street.

City of Taunton at Newport Dock

City of Taunton at Newport Dock

Providence Public Library

Image shows the City of Taunton steamship docked at a Newport wharf. The torpedo factory on Goat Island is visible in background.

City of Newport (Steamer)

City of Newport (Steamer)

Providence Public Library

Steamboat City of Newport docked at the Dyer St. dock in Providence, Rhode Island. Hay and grain company Peck & Black is visible in the background, and also a coal company. Two figures are seen on the dock in the right foreground.

City of Newport (Steamer)

City of Newport (Steamer)

Providence Public Library

Image shows the SS Newport sailing near a pier. Large rocks are in foreground of photograph.

City Hotel

City Hotel

Providence Public Library

City Hotel seen from the opposite side of the street.

City Hotel

City Hotel

Providence Public Library

City Hotel seen from the opposite side of the street.

City Hotel

City Hotel

Providence Public Library

City Hotel seen from the opposite side of the street.

City Hall, Providence

City Hall, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows crowds gathered at City Hall in Providence, RI. Crowds stand on a temporary platform at the Entrance to City Hall and in the streets surrounding the building.

City Hall, Providence

City Hall, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Providence City Hall and the 1871 Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Exchange Place.

City Hall, Providence

City Hall, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Providence City Hall and the 1871 Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Exchange Place.

City Hall, Broadway, Newport

City Hall, Broadway, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows Newport City Hall at the corner of Broadway and Bull Street. Townsend Industrial School is in center left of photograph.

City Hall, Broadway, Newport

City Hall, Broadway, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows Townsend Industrial School on left and Newport City Hall on right. Two bicycles are parked in front of the school and on Broadway. Top corners of photograph have been rounded.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View of City Hall from Exchange Place. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View from the middle of a plaza of Providence City Hall, seen behind the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. The photograph is mounted on a board with VM013_FIC0465 and VM013_FIC0466.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance and Reiner's Drugs.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of City Hall, with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the foreground. Other buildings are seen adjacent.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View of City Hall from Exchange Place. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of City Hall, with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the foreground. Other buildings are seen adjacent.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View from the street of City Hall from Butler Exchange, with a monument to Civil War soldiers seen in the foreground.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall, decorated with black bunting and flags in mourning for the death of President William McKinley.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View from the street of City Hall, with a monument to Civil War soldiers seen in the foreground.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View of City Hall from Exchange Place, with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the foreground. Other buildings are seen adjacent.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View from the street of City Hall from Butler Exchange, with a monument to Civil War soldiers seen in the foreground. Flyers are seen on a pole in the foreground.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall, decorated with black bunting and flags in mourning for the death of President William McKinley.

City Hall

City Hall

Providence Public Library

View down the length of Exchange Place of City Hall. Other buildings are seen adjacent, including the Hotel Dorrance and Providence Journal & Bulletin.

City from Halsey Farm

City from Halsey Farm

Providence Public Library

Image shows two ferries in a body of water. A city is in the background.