Newfoundland Historical Society Archives

The Newfoundland Historical Society traces its origins to the Newfoundland Historical and Statistical Society of January 1881, but was formally constituted in November 1905. Its objectives were the collection and preservation of written records of "...the history of this Colony...in respect of its religious, social and political evolution...its tradition, folk lore, and local nomenclature; its fauna and flora and physical geography." The reading of papers at meetings, publication of suitable material, and the formation of a library were also listed.

The Society has been in operation ever since, with occasional lapses (1915-18, 1922-30, 1963-65), and continues to promote the knowledge and public discussion of the history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador through its free public lecture series, public symposia, the publication of books, bibliographies and a newsletter, a section in the Newfoundland Quarterly called Aspects, heritage awards, a library, archives and vertical files.

An office was established in the Colonial Building in 1966. Active collection has now ceased, but the Society's library and files still receive donations of material.

The Society's archives consist of the records of its own existence and activities, as well as a few smaller fonds and collections which have been donated, including the records of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for the Aging. There is an extensive collection of vertical files (newspaper clippings, magazine articles, correspondence with researchers, typescripts, pamphlets, photographs etc.) on Newfoundland subjects, place names and personal names. The library contains over 500 books and numerous periodical titles.

In 1994 a determined effort was begun to make the material more accessible to researchers, and this has now been largely completed. Finding Aids exist for the Society's own records to 1990 (to 2000 for some series), and for the half dozen other archival collections, and there is a draft inventory of the vertical files, and a library catalogue. All finding aids are available in the office in hard copy and as WordPerfect computer documents. The Society also publishes a members' newsletter and various books on historical topics, and maintains a database of historical/heritage organizations in the province. More information is available on the web site.

Created - May 13, 2013

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