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

Camp Yawgoog

Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

Two boys aiming arrows at an archery target in the woods. An adult and groups of other boys watch on.

Camp Yawgoog

Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

Front view of a large stone and wood building at Camp Yawgoog. Groups of boy scouts in uniform are seen walking toward and away from the building. A flagpole is in the foreground.

Camp Yawgoog

Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

A group of boys in scout uniforms sitting on logs embedded in the ground. One of the scouts ties a piece of fabric around the arm of a younger scout.

Camp Yawgoog

Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

An adult scout leader talks to several boys in scout uniforms sitting on a large rock. An open field with a flag pole is seen in the background.

Camp Yawgoog

Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

A platform with a single folding chair on it underneath a shelter made of a tarp in a clearing in the woods.

Camp Sites

Camp Sites

Providence Public Library

Image shows white tents set up in a field next to a body of water. Sailboats are visible in the water.

Calvary Baptist Church

Calvary Baptist Church

Providence Public Library

View of the Calvary Baptist Church showing an entrance at the street corner.

Cable Cottage

Cable Cottage

Providence Public Library

View from the opposite side of the street of the Cable Cottage, the end of the cable car run.

Butts Hill Diorama

Butts Hill Diorama

Providence Public Library

Image shows a diorama of the Battle of Rhode Island at Butts Hill. Model soldiers stand at the foot of a bridge. Painted soldiers fight on the other side of the bridge in the painted background.

Buttonwoods Street Car

Buttonwoods Street Car

Providence Public Library

Side rear view of a streetcar stopped in a plaza. A horse-drawn wagon is backed up to the streetcar and two workers are moving objects between the two vehicles. Several people are seen standing outside of the car, and other pedestrians pass by in the distance.

Butler Exchange, lobby

Butler Exchange, lobby

Providence Public Library

The lobby of Butler Exchange showing a coffee shop called "The Coffee Pot." A telephone and supplies for serving coffee are visible.

Butler Exchange Building, Exchange Place, Providence

Image shows the Butler Exchange Building at Exchange Place. Pedestrians walk and ride bicycles in the plaza. What Cheer Shirt Co. building and Taft's Hotel are on either side of the Butler Exchange. The building was demolished in 1925 and is now the site of the Industrial National Bank building.

Butler Exchange Bldg.

Butler Exchange Bldg.

Providence Public Library

The Butler Exchange Building viewed from the street with snow. Businesses are visible on both sides of the building including What Cheer Shirt Co. and A. B. Pitkin Machinery Company.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Business signs are visible on the building including Bryant & Stratton R. I. Commercial School, Dodge & Camfield, Brown Brothers & Co., and Waite Auto Supply.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Business signs are visible on the building including Bryant & Stratton R. I. Commercial School, Dodge & Camfield, Brown Brothers & Co., and Waite Auto Supply.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Business signs are visible on the building including Bosworth Brothers, Dodge & Camfield, Brown Brothers & Co., U.S. Bobbin & Shuttle Co., and W.J Mathewson & Co. Horse-drawn carts are seen on the street, and more businesses are visible in the next building over.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Advertisements for businesses on the building include Wayner's Lunch, Sea Grill Restaurant, and Waite Auto Supply Co. Cars are seen parked in front of the building.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Businesses are visible on both sides of the building.

Butler Exchange

Butler Exchange

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Butler Exchange Building. Advertisements for businesses on the building include Boston Railroad Co., Brown Brothers & Co., and C. Farnums Son.

Busk House, Newport

Busk House, Newport

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Wrentham House, also known as Indian Spring. the stone mansion has several turrets and chimneys. A horse pulled coach with passengers travels up the mansion's driveway.

Businesses

Businesses

Providence Public Library

Street view of pedestrians in front of businesses and storefronts. Signs for businesses include a cigar shop, Mercury Office Printing and J.K. McLennan.

Business center - west

Business center - west

Providence Public Library

Rooftop view from High Street towards Main Street of the business district in Pawtucket Horse-drawn wagons are seen on the street. Church steeples and mill smokestacks are seen above other buildings in the background. The brick building on the corner of High and Main is now demolished.

Burnside Statue

Burnside Statue

Providence Public Library

Monument depicting Ambrose Everett Burnside on horseback, in front of a large brick building.

Burnside Rifle Works

Burnside Rifle Works

Providence Public Library

Laminated photograph of the Burnside Rifle Works from across the river that runs outside of the facility. There are several buildings making up the complex, with a bridge over the river leading to the buildings. A man stands on shore opposite of the complex.

Burnside Park, Providence

Burnside Park, Providence

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of Burnside Park and Union Railroad Station in Providence, R.I. Horse pulled carts travel in streets around the park, and pedestrians walk in park.

Burnside Memorial

Burnside Memorial

Providence Public Library

Exterior view of Burnside Memorial at Bristol Town Hall and sculpture in the foreground.

Burnside Memorial

Burnside Memorial

Providence Public Library

Monument depicting Ambrose Everett Burnside on horseback.

Burnside Memorial

Burnside Memorial

Providence Public Library

Monument depicting Ambrose Everett Burnside on horseback, in front of a large brick building.