John Carter Brown Library

Providence

Located at Brown University, the John Carter Brown Library (JCB) is one of the world’s premiere research libraries for the study of the early Americas. Its Collection is quite vast and is organized by Places, Genres, Themes, Languages, and Periods. All the Americas are represented in the JCB’s holdings, which date back to the 15th century and include a variety of languages. Some strengths of the collection include American Revolutions, Black History, Cartography, Colonial Law, Commodities and Food, the History of Science, Indigenous History, Maritime History, and Women’s History. These items are often displayed in the JCB’s various Exhibitions. Materials held by the JCB may be searched with the Brown University Library’s online catalog, BruKnow. Much of the JCB’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections. The JCB awards dozens of Fellowships and Grants each year to support research on the early Americas.

Newport Historical Society

Newport

Since 1854, the Newport Historical Society (NHS) has collected and preserved both documents and material objects related to the history of Newport and the surrounding region. Its Edward W. Kane Library oversees these collections, some of which date back to the 17th century. Among these are various manuscript collections that include merchants’ records, church records, ships’ logs, town and city records, diaries and journals, and family papers. The Library also curates material objects such as fine art, furniture, musical instruments, textiles, and clothing. There are also several genealogical resources at the Library. Finding Aids and an Online Catalog are provided. Much of the Library’s holdings have been digitized and may be viewed through NHS Collections Online. Other Digital Resources are available, including Finding Native Americans in the Historical Record. Some Fellowships are offered by the NHS each year. The NHS is also a participating member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

Providence Athenæum

Providence

Founded in 1831, the Providence Athenæum remains one of Rhode Island’s principal cultural institutions. Most of the Athenæum’s holdings revolve around rare books. Its Special Collections include not only its own materials, but also the holdings and records of the Providence Library Company (est. 1753). An Archives Collection focuses on the institutional history of the Athenæum, such as circulation records, acquisition records and receipts, member lists, and much more. Other collections at the Athenæum include the Founders Collection, the Literature Collection, the Natural History Collection, and the Travel & Exploration Collection. There is also an Art Collection made up of nearly 150 objects. Items held by the Athenæum may be searched with its Library Catalog.

Providence City Archives

Providence

The Providence City Archives serve as the official repository for the City of Providence. Its Holdings date back to 1642 and include town meeting records, tax books and lists, overseer of the poor records, vital records, land records, architectural drawings, maps, city directories, and various other records related to municipal governance. Much of the City Archives’ material has been digitized and may be viewed with the Providence, RI Digital Archives.

Providence Public Library

Providence

The Providence Public Library maintains a solid selection of early American sources. Its Historical Collections contain thousands of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and ephemera from across the Americas. Highlights include the Rhode Island Collections, the Updike Collection on the History of Printing, and the Caleb Fiske Harris Collection on the Civil War and Slavery. One standout is the Nicholson Whaling Collection, which consists of nearly 800 ships’ logbooks that document over 1,000 whaling voyages in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Finding Aids are available and researchers may search the Library’s holdings with its Online Catalog. Some of the Library’s early materials can be viewed online through its Digital Collections.

Redwood Library & Athenæum

Newport

The Redwood Library & Athenæum has been serving Newport since 1747. Its Special Collections are comprised of thousands of unique items and are especially strong for the 18th century. Several Rare Book Collections make up the core of these holdings, including the Redwood’s original collection of 751 volumes purchased in 1749 by Abraham Redwood. There are also many Archival & Manuscript Collections that focus not only on the institutional history of the Redwood, but also the early histories of Newport and Rhode Island. The Redwood also maintains Fine Art Collections and features a Decorative Arts Gallery. Items held by the Redwood may be searched with its Library Catalog.

Rhode Island Historical Society

Providence

The Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) maintains the world’s largest historical collection related to Rhode Island. Its Collections are both vast and diverse. Over 20,000 material objects make up its Museum Collection, while its Graphics Collections boast 200,000 photographs, 20,000 architectural plans, and 4,600 drawings and paintings. There is also a large collection of Printed Material, consisting of 100,000 books and pamphlets published from the 16th century to the present. A robust collection of 18th and 19th century Manuscripts & Archives include the personal papers of prominent Rhode Islanders, as well as business, government, land, maritime, military, and religious records. A Master List of Finding Aids is available. Items held by the Society may be searched with its online catalog, NETOP. Much of the RIHS’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Online Galleries. The RIHS is a participating member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

Rhode Island State Archives

Providence

The Rhode Island State Archives serves as the official repository for the State of Rhode Island. Its holdings date back to the 17th century and consist of more than 10 million letters, photographs, government records, and other materials. These collections are organized by Record Groups and Subjects. Some highlights include the Rhode Island Colony Records, the African American Collection, and the Narragansett Indian Collection. There are hundreds of Finding Aids available. Much of the State Archives’ material has been digitized and may be viewed through the Rhode Island State Digital Archives.

South County History Center

Kingston

The South County History Center maintains several collections related to early Rhode Island. Its holdings include the Hull Collection, a hodgepodge of 19th century court and jail records, and the Markham Collection, a group of family papers dating back to 1734. There is also the Kenneth T. Mars, Jr. Photograph Collection. Other materials held by the Center may be of interest to early Americanists. Finding Aids for the Center’s materials are available and updated periodically.

Other Rhode Island Archives & Sources

A very useful source for finding sources in Rhode Island is the Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online (RIAMCO), a collaborative project that catalogs various archival holdings from various repositories across the state. Small State Big History maintains a wonderful list of Rhode Island Historical Societies. A great digital resource is the Providenc

Several regional repositories hold sources on Rhode Island, including the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Houghton Library, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the New-York Historical Society, and the New York Public Library. Rhode Island sources can also be found at the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

As an imperial borderland between Massachusetts Bay and New Netherland, Rhode Island sources can be located in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Check with the British Library, the National Archives at Kew, and the Nationaal Archief for more details.