Robert P. Emlen collection of Providence, Rhode Island postcards

Collection Type

  • Photography

Date

1895-1987, undated, predominant 1900-1920

Location Note

85M-01-314-ZZ-G

GUSN

GUSN-367423

Description

The Robert P. Emlen collection of Providence, Rhode Island postcards is comprised of 240 postcards of buildings and landscapes found in and around the Providence, Rhode Island area. The postcards date from 1895 to 1987, with the bulk of the collection dating to 1900-1920. The postcards contain photographic and artistic depictions of many of Providence’s landmark buildings, including the Arcade, the Biltmore Hotel, City Hall, the Federal Building, Hotel Dorrance, the John Nicholas Brown House, the Providence Athenaeum, the State House, the Truman Beckwith House, the Turks Head Building, and many more. The collection also includes postcards of prominent Providence-area landscapes, such as the Providence River, Providence Harbor, and Roger Williams Park. Several of the postcards depict notable locations in the nearby Rhode Island cities of Bristol and Newport.

Details

Descriptive Terms

architecture (discipline)
historic buildings
postcards
photographic postcards
postcards

Physical Descrption

240 items (1 binder)

Finding Aid Info

An electronic finding aid is available through Historic New England’s Collections Access Portal.

Collection Code

PC091

Collection Name

Robert P. Emlen collection of Providence, Rhode Island postcards

Date of Acquisition

2023

Reference Code

PC091

Abstract

Postcards of buildings and landscapes in and around Providence, Rhode Island, collected by Robert P. Emlen.

Acqusition Type

Gift

Credit Line

Gift, Robert P. Emlen, 2023.

Places

Providence (Providence county, Rhode Island)
East Providence (Providence county, Rhode Island)
Providence (Rhode Island) [river]
Providence Harbor (Providence county, Rhode Island) [bay]
Newport (Rhode Island island, Newport county, Rhode Island)
Bristol (Bristol county, Rhode Island)

Record Details

Originator

Emlen, Robert P. (Collector)

Material Type

postcards

Other People

Emlen, Robert P.

Other Organizations

Brown University
Hall & Lyon Company
Providence Furniture Company
Rhode Island School of Design

Restrictions

This collection is available for research.

Conservation Note

The following conservation and preservation activities have been completed on this collection: The postcards (already in archival sheet protectors) were rehoused in a new archival binder.

Restrictions

There are no physical or technical restrictions on this collection.

Description Level

Collection

Location Note

85M-01-314-ZZ-G

Accruals Note

Accruals are not expected.

Language Note

Materials are entirely in English.

Preferred Citation

Item identification. Robert P. Emlen collection of Providence, Rhode Island postcards (PC091). Historic New England, Library & Archives.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Sophia Cos, Assistant Archivist, November 2024.

Rules and Conventions

2nd-edition DACS compliant

Related Items

Rhode Island - Providence
Rhode Island - Providence
Rhode Island - Providence
Julius Lazarus postcard collection

Arrangement

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the collector’s original order.

Reparative Language in Collections Records

Historic New England is committed to implementing reparative language description for existing collections and creating respectful and inclusive language description for new collections. If you encounter language in Historic England's Collections Access Portal that is harmful or offensive, or you find materials that would benefit from a content warning, please contact info@historicnewengland.org.

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