Location … Hours … Contact information … Our Collections
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- Joe Pepe, Historical Society archivist
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- Gil Spencer, volunteer and Sleeping Giant Park Association historian and archivist
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- Dave Johnson, volunteer and Webmaster, Hamden Fire Retirees Association
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- Sandy Marenholz, volunteer
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- Julie Hulten, volunteer and Web manager, Hamden Historical Society
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- Kathy Gee, Volunteer
Not pictured: Volunteers: Virginia Dowd and Phyllis Pepe
The Hamden Historical Society Library was inaugurated in 1984 and provides a secure, central place to hold and display items which shed light on Hamden’s past. The collection consists of artifacts, primary source documents, organization records, photographs, and like materials. It is housed on the third floor of the Miller Library.
The Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and making available to researchers and the general public materials relating directly and significantly to the history of Hamden and its citizens. This Historical Society Library is the only facility in Hamden certified by the Connecticut State Library as a repository for the storage and preservation of historical documents. Many of the library’s holdings are listed on reQuest, the statewide database catalog of materials in over 130 Connecticut Libraries, and in the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections.
The Library is staffed by a part-time professional archivist and assisted by trained volunteers. Our existing records are continually developed with ‘finding aids’ and improved organization, and enhanced by additional documents from donors interested in preserving Hamden’s past. These records can be used for historical, sociological, genealogical research, and/or to satisfy your interests.
Researching independently at the Historical Society Library
You may research our archives during regularly scheduled hours or by appointment. Staff will provide you with assistance. The archivist, under limited circumstances, will scan, photograph, or photocopy archival materials. Donations for such services are appropriate.
Requesting research by staff
We offer the services of our staff in answering your requests for specific information. There will be nominal charges for copying material; and a donation to the Historical Society is not only appropriate but also much appreciated.
We cannot respond to requests for general searches, as we do not have a computerized database and many of our records are handwritten and/or hard to read. Your involvement in the process is essential.
To facilitate your request, please supply as much of the following as possible:
- approximate dates (within 10 years) of the event,
- locations (neighborhoods) where the subject(s) lived,
- background of the family members or organization and other relevant information.
We also welcome donations of artifacts and relevant records from the public!
Come visit us!
Hamden Historical Society Library
Miller Memorial Cultural Center
2901 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Hours:
September through June
- Tuesday: 10am – 12pm
- Thursday: 1pm- 4pm
The archives are closed for the months of July and August except by appointment.
Contact us for information or to make an appointment:
- 203-287-2686 ext 37
- hhs@hamdenlibrary.org
- joepepe1@comcast.net
