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

Circus parade

Circus parade

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of carts from a circus on parade. Spectators are seen lining both sides of the street.

Circus parade

Circus parade

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of elephants and carts from a circus on parade. Spectators are seen lining both sides of the street and from windows in the buildings. The Fearing Building and The Chapin (both at 557 Westminster) are seen among business signs.

Circus parade

Circus parade

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of elephants and carts from a circus on parade. Spectators are seen lining both sides of the street and from windows in the buildings. The Fearing Building and The Chapin (both at 557 Westminster) are seen among business signs.

Circus parade

Circus parade

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of elephants and carts from a circus on parade. Spectators are seen lining both sides of the street and from windows in the buildings. The Fearing Building and The Chapin (both at 557 Westminster) are seen among business signs.

Circus parade

Circus parade

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view of carts from a circus on parade. Spectators are seen lining both sides of the street.

Church, Warwick

Church, Warwick

Providence Public Library

Image shows a church in Warwick, RI. Building materials lay in the yard near the church. Back of photograph reads: "This was built in 1884 dedicated in Aug, 1885 on Oct 17, 1886 it was destroyed by fire, just as the people were coming to the morning services."

Church Street, East from Government Landing

Image shows shops and restaurants at the corners of Church and Thames Street. A demolition site is next to Curran's Lunch on Church Street. Shops along Thames Street including Walsh Brothers Furniture is in background.

Church Street, East from Government Landing

Image shows shops on Thames Street at the corner of Thames and Church Streets. Walsh Brothers Furniture is on far right of shops. Houses along Church are visible.

Church of the Redeemer

Church of the Redeemer

Providence Public Library

Front view of the Church of the Redeemer from the opposite side of the street.

Christopher LaFarge

Christopher LaFarge

Providence Public Library

Portrait of author Christopher LaFarge seated in uniform.

Chris Evert Lloyd at Newport Casino

Chris Evert Lloyd at Newport Casino

Providence Public Library

View of tennis player Chris Evert Lloyd playing during a tournament at Newport Casino. Rows of spectators are seen behind her.

Chopping kitchen stove wood

Chopping kitchen stove wood

Providence Public Library

A man outside of a shed chopping wood for the kitchen stove. He is holding an axe with a log stuck on it, and split firewood is stacked in the shed.

Chimney of the Narragansett Electric Light Co.

View from across water, perhaps from the Point Street Bridge, of the Narragansett Electric Light Company's brick chimney. Signs advertising businesses and products are seen at the base of the building.

Children, Wickford Village

Children, Wickford Village

Providence Public Library

Image shows three young children standing on the grass near a white picket fence. A bicycle with training wheels stand between them. The Robert Potter House and the steeple of St. Paul's Church are visible in the background. From rear of photograph: "North Kingstown, R.I.-- Wickford Village, the seaport center of this historic town, is noted for its tremendous concentration of colonial built houses and its attractive narrow streets."

Children in Yard

Children in Yard

Providence Public Library

Image shows two young children and a woman in a yard. The woman points towards the photographer. The photograph is out of focus.

Children in Snow

Children in Snow

Providence Public Library

Image shows two children dressed in snow suits playing in a snow covered yard. The children both hold up snow balls. Tree branches above them are heavy with snow.

Child on Warship

Child on Warship

Providence Public Library

Image shows a man holding up a child so it can look through a rangefinder. A sailor stand next to them. Another ship is visible in the background.

Chelina, Newport

Chelina, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows a yacht, the "Chelina" in water near Newport, RI. The yacht has a central steam stack and an American flag hangs at its hull.

Charles Foster Tillinghast

Charles Foster Tillinghast

Providence Public Library

Portrait of Charles Foster Tillinghast posed standing next to a fireplace. Sculptures and calendars are on top of the fireplace's mantle.

Charles Alexander

Charles Alexander

Providence Public Library

Portrait of grocer Charles Alexander, 1847-1919, against a plain backdrop.

Chapel of the Transfiguration; Jamestown

Image shows the rear of the Chapel of Transfiguration. Tall grass and shrubs grow around the chapel. The chapel was built as a moveable chapel, built with wheels and a wagon tongue.

Chapel of the Transfiguration; Jamestown

Image shows the front of Chapel of the Transfiguration. The church has a palladian window with broken panes and a front porch. Tall grass and shrubbery are in foreground.

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Providence Public Library

Image shows the rear of the Chapel of Transfiguration. Tall grass and shrubs grow around the chapel. The chapel was built as a moveable chapel, built with wheels and a wagon tongue. Reproduction of "Chapel of the Transfiguration; Jamestown", VM013_GF4663.

Champion II Newport

Champion II Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows "Champion II" docked wharf. A sign for "Connolly's Line of Pleasure Launches" is left. A garage and buildings are in background.

Chafee, John Hubbard

Chafee, John Hubbard

Providence Public Library

Portrait of John Hubbard Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island from 1963-1969, smiling and speaking into a number of microphones at a press conference.

Central Hotel

Central Hotel

Providence Public Library

Front view of Central Hotel from the opposite side of the street. A car full of people is parked outside of the building.

Central Fire Station, Providence

Central Fire Station, Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Central Fire Station in Providence, RI. Pedestrians walk near the General Burnside Monument in a park in Exchange Place.