Archives & genealogy
Our archives house thousands of unique artifacts, documents and genealogical materials. We welcome researchers — a few simple guidelines keep these irreplaceable records safe for the next generation.
By appointment only — please schedule at least one week in advance.
Communities move, merge and vanish. Our collection includes historic maps, plat books, cemetery records, church and school registers, newspapers and family files that help you place ancestors in the towns and hollows where they actually lived — from Princeton and Bramwell to the coal camps in between.
📚 Ask the research desk →Have a document, photograph or artifact that tells a Mercer County story? We'd love to hear about it.
Please discuss items with the Curator before drop-off so we can confirm fit and condition.
Accepted items require signing a form that transfers legal ownership to the MCHS.
We especially seek materials on mining, railroads, agriculture and local organizations.
Please note: The MCHS cannot provide appraisals or valuations of donated items for tax purposes. If you need a valuation, please consult an independent certified appraiser prior to donation.