Collections

Daredevils of Niagara - Photos & writing from the Orrin E. Dunlap collection
Niagara Falls has a history of enticing people to dare the rapids. These daredevils have crossed the Falls over tightropes, barrels, boats, and other contraptions.
Helen Alexander Diary, 1868

Diaries of Helen Alexander, who lived in rural Cayuga County from 1838 to 1923.  

Cover of the 1910 diary

Diaries written by Henry Wilcox in Oneonta, NY.

Diary Cover

The diaries of Jonathan Pearson, a notable Union College graduate who served as a professor, librarian, and treasurer at the college after graduating top of his class in 1835. It includes reflections on his time as both a student and faculty member, along with accounts of his travels.

Page from Margaret Jones Diary 1945

Daily diaries written by Margaret Jones, a lifelong Edmeston resident. She worked in the rural schools of Edmeston for 51 years, despite having a physical condition that made speech difficult.

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.
cover of book

The United States of America incarcerates and medicates people at a greater rate than any nation on earth.  This is the first response to real or perceived crimes and illnesses.  Bringing light to this situation is the intention of this book.  The authors have survived the priso

Dudley Observatory Historical Archives

This collection contains artifacts relating to the history of the Dudley Observatory.