This catalog includes textual descriptions of books, manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera; as well as low-resolution watermarked* images from the Bostonian Society’s photograph collections. It is a work-in-progress, and will be updated regularly.
The collections catalog is not a single unified catalog. It has been set up to search by type of material in three sections: Books, photographs/Images, and Manuscripts. The Featured Collections section highlights portions of the collection on a rotating basis.
Books: The Book Catalog includes publications, vertical files, Bromley and Sanborn atlases, and reports. This catalog is complete. The Bostonian Society’s collection of books is non-circulating. For the most comprehensive results, search both Books and Manuscripts.
Manuscripts: The Manuscript Catalog includes collection descriptions of primary source materials. The catalog includes records of clubs, businesses, and organizations, and personal papers. It also includes collections of ephemera, unpublished manuscripts, and individual manuscript documents. More detailed information related to described and undescribed collections may be found in the library.
Photographs/Images: The Image Catalog currently represents a portion of the Society’s photograph collection of streetscapes -- circa 1850 to 1980. Descriptions are accompanied by scanned images. The most efficient way to search images is by street name or address (see Search Tips). Other search terms include business names, signs, people, modes of transportation, and other details in evidence in the image. Browse Indices for topic terms and personal and business names. Images not yet cataloged include events, portraits, prints, transportation, and some Boston neighborhoods. Use the Advanced search to read collection level descriptions of the photograph collections. Select collection level, and search for specific topics or names, or search for the word "photograph" in the title to see all collection descriptions.
The Library is open to researchers by appointment only for a nominal fee. This fee is waived for members. The Society provides digital prints or scans for a fee. A written letter of permission (PDF) authorizing use is required for all orders. You can find the Fee Schedule on page 3 and 4 of the letter of permission.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact the Library.
* The Bostonian Society relies on revenue generated by membership, donations, and by sale and use of reproductions. Images are watermarked to protect unauthorized use of images from the website.