Schenectady County Historical Society

Department: Grems-Doolittle Library
32 Washington Ave.
Schenectady, New York 12305
Phone: 518-374-0263
Contact:
Marietta Carr - 518-374-0263 x3 - librarian@schenectadyhistorical.org
Geolocation:

Schenectady County Historical Society

About

Schenectady County Historical Society’s digital collection on New York Heritage features a sample of our holdings. Our full collection includes artifacts, paintings, books pertaining to local history, family histories, diaries, newspapers, yearbooks, maps, photographs, personal and family papers, and much more. The mission of the Schenectady County Historical Society is to share stories, inspire dialogue, and encourage the understanding of the history, people, and cultures of Schenectady County. The Society features interactive exhibits, talks, workshops, concerts, education programs, and community events for all audiences in order to further our mission. Our headquarters is located in Schenectady’s historic Stockade neighborhood and houses both the Schenectady History Museum and the Grems-Doolittle Library. The Historical Society also operates the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction. We encourage you to visit the Schenectady County Historical Society to explore how Schenectady County has changed over the years, the impact the Schenectady area has had on national events, as well as the rich and diverse history that Schenectady County has to offer. Please send questions to Librarian@schenectadyhistorical.org

Schenectady County Historical Society is a member of the Capital District Library Council.

Collections

Documents About Enslaved People in Schenectady

The collection is composed of 18th and 19th documents that mention enslaved and formerly enslaved people in Schenectady County. Some materials in this collection may contain offensive language or imagery. In the interests of historical integrity, we are not removing these images or words. Some item descriptions contain language from the original historical document when it provides additional value; language from an historical source is indicated through quotation marks.

Ellis Hospital Collection

This collection is composed of photographs of Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY.

Erie Canal Photograph Collection

Photographs of the Erie Canal in and around Schenectady, New York. Includes images of the construction of the canal and architectural features of the canal, such as aqueducts, bridges and locks.

Glen Letters Collection

Letters of the Glen Family of Schenectady, mainly letters to and from Henry Glen. The bulk of the letters deal with business matters, including Henry Glen's involvement with the War of 1812.

Grems-Doolittle Library 25th Anniversary

In 2016, the Grems-Doolittle Library at the Schenectady County Historical Society reached its twenty-fifth anniversary. This collection shows the construction of the Grems-Doolittle Library as well as the opening reception celebrating the official opening of the library and other items documenting the library's 25 year history.

Handwritten letter

This collection contains correspondence between James Duane and his associates. James Duane (1733-1797) was a prominent lawyer, real estate investor, and politician in New York.

Natural Disasters in Schenectady County

This collection contains photographs of floods, blizzards, landslides and tornadoes that occurred in Schenectady County.

receipt

This collection contains materials created and maintained by the Overseers of the Poor of Schenectady, Glenville, and Rotterdam. These materials capture important information about the treatment and condition of poor people in Schenectady County in the 19th century.

Pearson Street Books

The Pearson Street Books consist of four volumes of notes and sketched maps created by Jonathan Pearson, city historian, about property ownership in the city of Schenectady, New York from the 1660s through the mid-nineteenth century.

page of document

Letters received or collected by Samuel Jones from his family, friends, and associates, and Samuel Jones’ diary which he kept from 1821 to 1855. Samuel Jones (1791-1855) was a significant political actor in Schenectady County and New York in the mid-nineteenth century and connected to other significant New Yorkers and politicians.

First page of handwritten letter to "Friend Tillot," June 24, 1861 on patriotic letterhead depicting a soldier, American flags, military tents, and the US Capitol building

This collection contains documents created by or received by Schenectady County soldiers in the course of their service during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. 

Schenectady County Deeds

This collection contains 18th and 19th century deeds for land and property in Schenectady County. The documents are part of the Grems-Doolittle Library Historic Manuscripts Collection.

Schenectady, New York Street Scenes

This collection contains photographs of homes and streets located in Schenectady, New York area.

Sports and Recreation in Schenectady New York

This collection features photographs of various sports and recreational activities in Schenectady County.

Wayne Tucker Postcard Collection

This collection is comprised of postcards, trade cards, and other ephemera relating to Schenectady County and other nearby areas.