When considering our history, Rhode Islanders have so many fascinating eras to look back on with intense emotions. From our rebellious nature and our fundamental belief in controversial freedoms, to our role in the industrial revolution, and beyond; there are just so many powerful examples of monumental historic moments. Photos help us to not only remember, but to also show us what life was once like for Rhode Islanders and bring us in closer to understanding. The following pictures from the Providence Public Library’s wonderful digital collection are stunning examples. We highly recommend you spend some time perusing the rest of the catalogue, and visiting the library for even more breathtaking photos and fascinating facts.
- Bailey’s Beach, Newport
“Bailey’s Beach, Newport”, VM013_GF3688, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. This shot of a well dressed group standing along a beach in Newport really shows us how much our fashion choices have changed in Little Rhody.
- Ida Lewis, Tom, Rudolph and two unidentified women
“Ida Lewis, Tom, Rudolph and two unidentified women”, VM013_GF5005, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Famous Rhode Islander, Ida Lewis is pictured here among friends. Lewis is most known for her acts of heroism while serving as a lighthouse keeper and many successful rescues of people stuck in troubled waters out at sea.
- Rocky Point
“Rocky Point”, VM013_GC1582, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Look at this gorgeous photo taken in the early years of Rocky Point! This shot is a true Rhode Island gem.
- Bathers at Easton’s Beach
“Bathers at Easton’s beach area”, VM013_GF3695, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Though our swimsuits might look a little different now, Easton’s Beach in Newport is still a popular summer spot.
- Favorite Italian Boccia Game
“Favorite Italian boccia game”, VM013_GC1703, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
- Views of people swimming in Merino Park
“Views of people swimming in Merino Park”, VM013_GF3202, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. It’s hard to imagine swimming in the Woonasquatucket River in Providence, but Rhode Islanders were once able to do just that!
- U.S. Atlantic Tuna Tournament
“U.S. Atlantic Tuna Tournament”, VM013_GC1664, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Rhode Islanders still take their fishing very seriously.
- Providence Athenaeum, Benefit Street, Providence
“Providence Athenaeum, Benefit Street, Providence”, VM013_GF3182, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. This beautiful old picture is showing off the Providence Athenaeum, one of the nation’s oldest member run libraries.
- Rocky Point Park swimming pool
“Rocky Point Park swimming pool”, VM013_GC1577, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Those Rocky Point Park memories just never seem to go away and this picture perfectly explains why. What a perfect summer day.
- Bailey’s Beach, Newport
“Bailey’s Beach, Newport”, VM013_GF4630, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. This dramatic shot also taken at Bailey’s Beach in Newport shows a small building being swept out to sea during a hurricane. Living in New England definitely has its own unique dangers.
- View of the Breakers from the Ocean Side
“View of the Breakers from the Ocean Side”, VM013_GF4778, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. This photo of a woman and young girl standing outside the Breakers shows just how long the Breakers has been a popular Newport tourist destination.
- Narragansett Jamestown Ferry
“Narragansett Jamestown Ferry”, VM013_GF4145, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Imagine visiting Jamestown by Ferry instead of bridge! This was the reality for so much of the state’s history prior to the first bridge’s opening in 1940.
- Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown
“Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown”, VM013_GF4727, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Beavertail State Park looks pretty different these days! Here’s a shot of when the lighthouse was still in operation.
- Crowd on Sidewalk
“Crowd on Sidewalk”, VM013_FIC0173, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. This shot outside a department store in Rhode Island is amazing.
- Greeting Santa Claus
“Greeting Santa Claus”, VM013_GC2618, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI. Children gather near Providence City Hall to see Santa in this shot.
For more stunning photos taken in Rhode Island, click here.
“Bailey’s Beach, Newport”, VM013_GF3688, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
This shot of a well dressed group standing along a beach in Newport really shows us how much our fashion choices have changed in Little Rhody.
“Ida Lewis, Tom, Rudolph and two unidentified women”, VM013_GF5005, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Famous Rhode Islander, Ida Lewis is pictured here among friends. Lewis is most known for her acts of heroism while serving as a lighthouse keeper and many successful rescues of people stuck in troubled waters out at sea.
“Rocky Point”, VM013_GC1582, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Look at this gorgeous photo taken in the early years of Rocky Point! This shot is a true Rhode Island gem.
“Bathers at Easton’s beach area”, VM013_GF3695, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Though our swimsuits might look a little different now, Easton’s Beach in Newport is still a popular summer spot.
“Favorite Italian boccia game”, VM013_GC1703, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
“Views of people swimming in Merino Park”, VM013_GF3202, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
It’s hard to imagine swimming in the Woonasquatucket River in Providence, but Rhode Islanders were once able to do just that!
“U.S. Atlantic Tuna Tournament”, VM013_GC1664, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Rhode Islanders still take their fishing very seriously.
“Providence Athenaeum, Benefit Street, Providence”, VM013_GF3182, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
This beautiful old picture is showing off the Providence Athenaeum, one of the nation’s oldest member run libraries.
“Rocky Point Park swimming pool”, VM013_GC1577, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Those Rocky Point Park memories just never seem to go away and this picture perfectly explains why. What a perfect summer day.
“Bailey’s Beach, Newport”, VM013_GF4630, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
This dramatic shot also taken at Bailey’s Beach in Newport shows a small building being swept out to sea during a hurricane. Living in New England definitely has its own unique dangers.
“View of the Breakers from the Ocean Side”, VM013_GF4778, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
This photo of a woman and young girl standing outside the Breakers shows just how long the Breakers has been a popular Newport tourist destination.
“Narragansett Jamestown Ferry”, VM013_GF4145, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Imagine visiting Jamestown by Ferry instead of bridge! This was the reality for so much of the state’s history prior to the first bridge’s opening in 1940.
“Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown”, VM013_GF4727, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Beavertail State Park looks pretty different these days! Here’s a shot of when the lighthouse was still in operation.
“Crowd on Sidewalk”, VM013_FIC0173, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
This shot outside a department store in Rhode Island is amazing.
“Greeting Santa Claus”, VM013_GC2618, Rhode Island Photograph Collection , Providence Public Library, Providence, RI.
Children gather near Providence City Hall to see Santa in this shot.
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