Bernon Helme Photograph Collection


University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title: Bernon Helme Photograph Collection
Date range: 1895-1930
Creator: Helme, Bernon
Extent: 0.5 linear feet
Abstract: This collection contains 24 historic photographs of the University of Rhode Island and the surrounding Kingston village area.
Language of materials: English
Repository: University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number: Mss. Gr. 125

Scope & content

The collection is arranged in one series containing 24 photographs.

Arrangement

The photographs are arranged in one series.

  • 1. Photographs

Historical note

The Bernon Helme Photograph Collection is a collection of photographic prints and negatives of the turn-of-the-century University of Rhode Island and the surrounding village of Kingston. The photographs are attributed to Bernon Helme, postmaster of Kingston in the 1880’s and 1890’s and an avid supporter of the establishment of an agricultural school and experiment station on Kingston Hill. There is no direct evidence linking the photographs specifically to Helme, either as photographer or collector. Clearly, some of the photographs could neither have been taken nor collected by Helme since they date from the 1950’s, long after his death. The envelopes and folders containing the photographs identify them as being from the Bernon Helme Photograph Collection and the collection has been given that title as a means of identifying it.

Helme was among a small group of individuals in Kingston who aggressively promoted a site in the village for the establishment of a state agricultural school and experiment station. Helme single-handedly raised $2,000 by private subscription toward the $5,000 purchase price of the 140 acre Watson farm on Kingston Hill, which forms the core of the current University of Rhode Island campus. The photographs in the Helme Collection document in images the university and of Kingston at the turn-of-the-century through the 1950’s.

Photographs of the campus include Boarding (South), Green, Lippitt, and Taft Halls, the Watson House, the quadrangle, Upper College Road, and a reunion of the Class of 1898. Also included are views of South and North Road bordering the campus. In addition, the collection includes images of the various members of the Helme family.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: Open for research.
Use of the materials: Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.
Preferred citation: Bernon Helme Photograph Collection, 1895-1930, Mss. Gr. 125, University of Rhode Island Library, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information: University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Kevin J. Logan.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Hailie D. Posey 2009 June 15, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 April 10
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory


Inventory

Series 1. Photographs
Box 1, Folder 1-24
This series contains 24 historic photographs of the University of Rhode Island and the surrounding Kingston village area.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Biological Laboratory (Interior)
undated
Box 1, Folder 2 Boarding (South) Hall
undated
Box 1, Folder 3 Campus, pre-1930
undated
Box 1, Folder 4 Class of 1898 Reunion
1928
Box 1, Folder 5 Green Hall
undated
Box 1, Folder 6 Hale, William
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Helme Family
undated
Box 1, Folder 8 Helme, Abbie Anna
1895, undated
Box 1, Folder 9 Helme, Abbie Anna and Bernon
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 Helme, Bernon
undated
Box 1, Folder 11 Helme, Bernon with George Champlin
1930
Box 1, Folder 12 Helme (Hale), Mary Powell (Drawing Instructor at Rhode Island State College - 1895)
undated
Box 1, Folder 13 Lippitt Hall
1900
Box 1, Folder 14 North Road and Main Street (Kingston)
undated
Box 1, Folder 15 North Road : President Edwards' House
undated
Box 1, Folder 16 Quadrangle
undated
Box 1, Folder 17 South Road : Clarke House
1898
Box 1, Folder 18 Taft Hall
1898
Box 1, Folder 19 URI Campus Map
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 URI Campus, Miscellaneous
undated
Box 1, Folder 21 Upper College Road
1898
Box 1, Folder 22 Watson Farm
1888
Box 1, Folder 23 Women Behind Taft Hall
undated
Box 1, Folder 24 Unidentified Interior (church?)
undated