Digital Archives
The Digital Portal
The scope of the collections of the Library & Archives at the Greenwich Historical Society is wide and varied, and includes personal papers, genealogical material, photographs, maps and plot plans, and the records of educational and religious organizations, businesses and associations. This material reflects the long history of Greenwich, Connecticut and its inhabitants-from farmers to Gilded Age barons, politicians and civic leaders, artists and writers, bankers and shopkeepers, local churches, clubs, libraries, schools and municipal organizations.
Housed at the Bush-Holley Historic Site, the Library & Archives helps document its historic location and the Cos Cob art colony.
This portal provides virtual access to selections from our extensive physical collections. Visit it often to explore the latest additions.
A finding aid is a tool to find records in a specific archival collection. It usually provides a brief description of the background and context for the collection, and can help researchers locate specific boxes and folders of interest.
This resource guide highlights local collections, databases, publications, and educator resources relating to Indigenous history and culture.
The Library Catalog provides information about all the books, periodicals, pamphlets, etc. in the research library. It can be searched by title, author, subject/topic and provides information to locate the item on the shelves.
About the Archives Cataloging and Digitization Project
The Greenwich Historical Society’s James Stevenson and Josie Merck Stevenson Library and Archives, under the leadership of curator Christopher Shields, makes our Greenwich history collections accessible to and representative of our entire community and its recorded history. As we celebrate our 90th Anniversary in 2022, it is essential to complete finding aids for the Library & Archives’ important collection of original documents relating to architecture and land use, local businesses, schools, local and state government, clubs, organizations and local families. This material encompasses 49 distinct collections.
Since October 2020, project staff have arranged and described over 20 collections. Finding aids for these collections are searchable on our website. Nearly 20,000 images from our real estate and photograph collections have been digitized and cataloged. Informative and entertaining content informed by this work is now featured on the Historical Society’s website and social media and items relevant to our exhibitions and educational programs have been shared with curatorial staff.
Ashley Aberg, who is now the Project Archivist, is working closely with education program staff to provide context for archival collection material used to tell the stories of the enslaved people who lived at the Bush-Holley House. She has led classroom sessions with student groups visiting the historic site.
Digital Project Assistant Dean McKenna applied his background in archeology to help photograph, catalogue and share information about objects found on our historic site in the summer of 2022 during excavation for drainage improvements. His History from Home blog post on the website included images and background on the numerous pottery and glassware pieces that were discovered.
Thank you to original project staff Leslie Albamonte and Kelsie Dalton as well as current Project Archivist Ashley Aberg and Digital Project Assistant Dean McKenna for their continued work to connect people with these fascinating and diverse collections.
The Archives Cataloging and Digitization Project is supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and a challenge gift from Davidde and Ron Strackbein. To support this project and help fulfill the Strackbein Challenge grant, contact Director of Development Dina Fleishmann at (203) 869-6899.
