Branford Historical Society Archives

ARCHIVES HISTORY

The Branford Historical Society archive collection was originally stored at the Society’s museum, Harrison House, at 124 Main Street. When the Blackstone Memorial Library was renovated in 1994, a mutual agreement was reached for most of the archives to be housed at the library for better access and environmental conditions. Larger items and the Towner albums remain at the Harrison House (2017). The photograph and negative collection, cataloged separately from the archives, is also housed at the library.

The purpose of this arrangement was to provide a safer environment for the storage of the documents, manuscripts, and photographs, and to provide better access to the public. The BHS collection consists of approximately 40 boxes of cataloged photographs of Branford people, buildings, and scenes, and an additional 15 boxes of negatives of various sizes and materials. The BHS manuscript collections consists of approximately 30 boxes of catalogued paper archives relating to the history and families of Branford.

Previously to 1999, the Library and Historical Society kept separate Branford history archive collections. It was decided at that time to add new material to the Branford Historical Society archives. Papers and photographs at the library that were never catalogued were also added to the Society’s archives and photo collection. The Blackstone Memorial Library archives of Branford history material before 1999 was kept as a separate collection and was organized by Betty Linsley. Papers relating strictly to library business are stored separately from the Historical Society archives. Since the death of Betty Linsley in 1993, Town Historian, Jane Bouley has maintained the Historical Society collections.

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Beginning in the mid 2010s, the Society began to arrange for the scanning and digitizing of more of the manuscript, document, and photographic collections. This work continues as we seek to preserve and make more accessible these archives for future generations. 

Most recently, in the early 2020s, the Historical Society also began working with the Town of Branford to digitally preserve the survey map collection from the James Wesson Phelps estate. A prominent surveyor for many years, Phelps surveyed a numerous amount of properties throughout Branford. Many of these survey maps were filed with the Town Clerk and are preserved in the Land Records, but many maps were created and never filed for various reasons. When he passed away, the town was able to receive Phelps’ own collection of maps that he made, including both completed surveys and drafts. We are glad to be working with the Town to scan and digitize these vital land records.

BRANFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MANUSCRIPT & PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION

RECORD GROUPS 

1.  FAMILY PAPERS 

2.  BUSINESS PAPERS 

3.  PUBLIC PAPERS 

4.  CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS 

5.  MISCELLANEOUS
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(72) CATEGORIZED PHOTOGRAPH BOXES

PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE

Archive Access Procedure

The James Blackstone Memorial Library houses the Branford Historical Society’s photograph collection in the library’s “Branford Room”. These photos can be viewed by going to the library and making a request at the Reference Department. You can search the index to these photographs HERE. Make a note of the box #(s) that you wish to view and someone at the Reference Desk will help you access the photos for viewing. You must request permission from the Branford Historical Society if you wish to do any copying, printing, or downloading of the photographs in our archive.

(After clicking the link, hit CTRL-F on your keyboard to search the PDF)

Many of the photographs have also been digitized and are available for viewing at the following link:
blackstonelibrary.org/archives758

For permission to view, copy, print, or download any photographs in the Archive, please contact the Historical Society Archives & Library Chairperson
at archives@branfordhistoricalsociety.org
or call (203) 488-4828.

Currently, not all photographs have been digitized, but as we work on this scanning process, digital access to the full catalog will be available by clicking the button below in the future. For now, you can click to view the limited collection.

Blackstone Memorial Library Contact Info

758 Main Street
Branford, CT 06405

(203) 488-1441

JAMES WESSON PHELPS UNFILED SURVEY MAPS ARCHIVE

Archive Access Procedure

The Branford Building Department and attic of the Town Hall houses the James Wesson Phelps estate’s collection of survey maps that were never filed on the Town Clerk’s land records. Thanks to our partnership with the town, these vital land records can be viewed by clicking the button below. You can search the index to these maps HERE.

For permission to print, copy, or download any survey maps in the Phelps Archive, please contact the
Historical Society Archives & Library Chairperson at archives@branfordhistoricalsociety.org
or call (203) 488-4828.

Currently, only a few maps have been digitized, but as we work on this scanning process,
digital access will be available by clicking the button below in the future.

If you have any questions, please email: archives@branfordhistoricalsociety.org