Local History Collection

The Local History Collection houses books that cover the cities, towns, counties, schools, industry, architecture and geography of Western Massachusetts.

Subjects include:

• Connecticut River Valley
• Quabbin Reservoir
• Holyoke mills
• Religions and ethnicity of Holyoke citizens
• Pictorial essays of surrounding areas from Amherst to Westfield
• Local colleges
  • The history of UMass/Amherst
  • Mount Holyoke and Mary Lyon
  • Smith College and Sophia Smith
• Hampden County, 1636-1936
• Hampshire County, prehistory-1900
• Crane Company in Dalton
• Historic Deerfield
• Massachusetts' historic buildings
• Northfield Mount Hermon
• and much more

Hours:
The Collection is available to patrons Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For access to the collection, inquire at the Circulation Desk. An appointment may be required.

Holdings:
The entire local history is cataloged in the on-line catalog and the records are listed here alphabetically. A paper index is also available at the Circulation Desk.

Use Policy:
The Local History Collection contains valuable and often irreplaceable materials. Consequently, controlled access is necessary. Local History materials do not circulate. Depending on the age and condition of an item, photocopy restrictions may apply. No bookbags, knapsacks, briefcases, etc. may be brought into the Local History/Archives area. Only pencils, not pens, may be used while working with these materials.