Library & Research

The Historical Society of Old Newbury welcomes all visitors to use our research facility. With an emphasis on the genealogies of Newbury’s first settlers, the Society boasts a unique collection of references which may be hard-to-find elsewhere. Our collection is enhanced by the library of the Sons and Daughters of the First Settlers that has been on loan since 1998.

We are also able to help those who are interested in researching Newbury’s general history. The collection includes diaries, ledgers, locally significant ephemera and maps as well as reference material on military and maritime subjects.

Admission is free to members of both the Historical Society and the Sons and Daughters of the First Settlers. Guests of the Society are charged $20.00 per 3-hour research period.  No charges will be incurred if material is not found. All library use and research is by appointment only for members and non-members.

For those who are unable to visit our library in person, we have a limited number of staff who may be able to help with a research request. Because these requests are handled by volunteers and part-time staff, they will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.  Due to the volume of research requests we receive, an hourly research fee of $15.00, up to a maximum of three (3) hours per request is charged.  For photocopies, a charge of $0.20 per copy will be added to the research fee.  Copies of photographs on photograph-quality paper are $10.00.

A basic initial search of our collections for appropriate material and a written reply should take one hour.  You will be notified if more research time (up to two additional hours) will be necessary.  Please note that we cannot guarantee that we will find the information you request as it may not exist in our collection.  You will be notified if that is the case.

We do research on the First Settlers of Newbury and the early business and history of the area covering the Newburys (Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury).

If you would like the Society to make an initial search, please download and complete the research request form and return it with your check or money order for $15.00 per hour, made payable to HSON, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. VISA or MasterCard may be used, if desired.  Research Request Form