Newburyport Archival Center

Overview

The Newburyport Archival Center's collection focuses on genealogy and local history, primarily that of Essex County with a smattering of additional material covering New England. It includes published monographs on Newburyport history and individual family genealogies as well as local primary source material such as the Lord Diaries and the records of the First Religious Society. We receive regular donations of both personal papers and company records for which finding aids are written to help researchers locate what they need.

One of the collection's more idiosyncratic sections consists of hundreds of pamphlet files each containing unique material related to the history of Newburyport such as invitations to a ball held in the 1800s or a land document signed in blood. We have both an historic photograph collection and a more recent photo collection focusing on the years 1964–2000. Cataloging records are created so that researchers are able to locate areas of interest via subject, author, or title. Online resources include Ancestry, Heritage Quest, and the New England Historic and Genealogical Society databases.

Computers, copier, microfilm reader, research assistance, group visits, & Archival Center tours are available.

Hours, Contact Information

The Newburyport Archival Center is open weekdays from 9:00 until noon, and 1:00 until 4:00; on most Wednesday evenings from 5:00 until 8:00 (please call first), and on Saturday mornings from 9:00 until noon. A fully qualified archivist on the library staff is responsible for the Center's management. Contact Jessica Gill, Newburyport Archivist, at 978 465–4428, x229.