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

View of Camp Yawgoog

View of Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of Camp Yawgoog. A large stone and wooden building is in the center of the camp. Dirt roads leads to Yawgoog Pond.

View of Camp Yawgoog

View of Camp Yawgoog

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of Camp Yawgoog. A large stone and wooden building is in the center of the camp. Dirt roads leads to Yawgoog Pond.

View of airport with planes in foreground

Image shows an American Airlines plane in foreground at the Theodore Francis Greene Airport hangar with a smaller plane in background. The words "Flagship Maryland" are visible on the plane.

View of airport with plane in foreground

Image shows an American Airlines plane at the Theodore Francis Greene Airport. Only front portion of the plane is shown and the words "Flagship Bridgeport" are visible on plane. A worker is standing on a ladder in front of the open door of the plane. Another worker is seen walking away from plane and pilot is visible in the cockpit. Several smaller planes and the hangar are in the background.

View of airport with plane in foreground

Image shows an American Airlines plane at the Theodore Francis Greene Airport. Only front portion of the plane is shown. Image is taken from under the wing with words "Flagship Bridgeport" visible. A worker is shown under the plane.

View of a Harbor

View of a Harbor

Providence Public Library

Aerial view of an industrial area near residential streets. Two piers extend into a harbor. A water tower sits near the harbor.

View of 552 Westminster Street

View of 552 Westminster Street

Providence Public Library

Image shows cars parked on Westminster Street in Providence, RI. A man stands on the top of a ladder leaning against a building on Westminster Street.

View north toward Providence

View north toward Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows a man and two children in rowboat near rocky shore of harbor. A ferry and light house, either Sassafras Point or Fuller Rock Light, are in background.

View from Unitarian Steeple

View from Unitarian Steeple

Providence Public Library

View of buildings on the east side of Providence, looking northeast from the steeple of the Unitarian Church, with Brown Campus seen in the foreground.

View from Prospect Terrace Providence

View from Prospect Terrace Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of Providence from Prospect Terrace. The Old State House and houses are visible in foreground. Train tracks run horizontally through the center of photograph.

View from Prospect Terrace Providence

View from Prospect Terrace Providence

Providence Public Library

Image shows a view of Providence from Prospect Terrace. The First Baptist Church in America, dome of the Old Savings Bank and City hall are visible.

Victory Arch

Victory Arch

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Victory Arch during construction at Exchange Place.

Victory Arch

Victory Arch

Providence Public Library

Street view of the Victory Arch decorated with flags. A vehicle is passing underneath the arch.

Vertical spinning jenny

Vertical spinning jenny

Providence Public Library

A woman standing next to a vertical spinning jenny, a wooden frame with spools of yarn, for the production of yarn, patented in 1813 by J. Brown of Providence. The device is on a pedestal in the Merrimack Valley Textile Museum.

Vehicles

Vehicles

Providence Public Library

Image shows drivers posing for the photograph with their cars. The cars are parked in a line in parking lot. Melting snow is visible on a few rooftops. A body of water is in the background.

Vehicles

Vehicles

Providence Public Library

Side view of a large wagon showing its engine underneath the bed. A man poses next to the wagon, standing by a wheel which is as tall as he is. Train cars are visible in the background.

Vehicles

Vehicles

Providence Public Library

Image shows a driver in a parked car with the top down. The driver poses for the photograph, looking straight ahead and holding the steering wheel with both hands.

Vehicles

Vehicles

Providence Public Library

Image shows drivers posing for the photograph with their cars. The cars are parked in a parking lot. Melting snow is visible on a few rooftops. A body of water is in the background.

Vaucluse Farm, Portsmouth

Vaucluse Farm, Portsmouth

Providence Public Library

Image shows the Vaucluse Farm mansion built in 1784 by Garvais Elam. The Georgian Revival mansion with a large portico had three large Doric columns. The building was deteriorating by the 20th century as shown in this photograph which includes a beam is in the place of the fourth column. The large pediment has a Palladian window in center, flanked by two round windows. Some of the windows are broken or have missing panes.

Varnum (James Mitchell) House

Varnum (James Mitchell) House

Providence Public Library

Interior view down the length of the center hall at the James Mitchell Varnum House. Several rugs are seen on a wooden floor, with seating furniture lining the hallway. Murals of scenes in an Orientalist style are on both walls. A stairway is seen at the end of the hallway.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows two U.S. Navy sailors meeting with German sailors in front of a Navy ship. Two of the sailors are shaking hands. Left to right: James Murtaugh, Fire controlman, Second Class, U.S.S. Warington of Hastings, Mn; William Howe, Sonarman, Second Class, U.S.S. Keppler, of Kettering Ohio; Peter Fink, Seaman, Z3; and Eric Bratschke, Seaman, both of Kiel, Germany. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Copy of VM013_GF4923 and VM013_FIC0966.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows James "Jim" Murtaugh, William "Bill" Howe, Peter Fink, and Eric Bratschke standing in front of a house in Newport. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows German sailors boarding a bus at the Navy piers in Newport. Sailors are in uniform and many carry cameras. Sailors belong to the German Destroyer Squadron One. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows American sailor James "Jim" Murtaugh and German sailors Peter Fink and Eric Bratschke posing for a picture on the lawn of the Elms. William "Bill" Howe is kneeling in grass taking a photograph of the sailors. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Copy of VM013_GF4925 and VM013_FIC0971.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows German sailors boarding a bus at the Navy piers in Newport. Sailors are in uniform and many carry cameras. Sailors belong to the German Destroyer Squadron One. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Copy of VM013_GF4926.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows Mrs. Harold B. Tinney showing sailors James "Jim" Murtaugh, William "Bill" Howe, Peter Fink, and Eric Bratschke a large chandelier at Belcourt Castle. Mrs. Tinney is wearing a brocade dress with bell sleeves and matching hat. Tapestries hang on wall behind them, and a statue of a saint is in foreground right of photograph. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Copy of VM013_GF4933 and VM013_FIC0976.

Various Views of German Sailors in Newport

Image shows James "Jim" Murtaugh, William "Bill" Howe, Peter Fink, and Eric Bratschke standing in front of the large gates of The Breakers. Credit: Official United State Navy Photograph. Copy of VM013_GF4929 and VM013_FIC0979.