What to Know Before
Visiting the Research Library and Archives

What to Know Before
Visiting the Research Library and Archives

The Jefferson County Historical Society has been collecting documents, books, manuscripts, artifacts, and photographs and other images with the mission of preserving the history of Jefferson County, Indiana, for more than a century. As we continue to add to these collections, another part of our mission is to share them with current and future generations for decades to come.

Preparing for an in-person visit:

Please schedule an appointment before you visit or arrive, so we may better assist you.

Because of the potential for loss of historic documents is a concern at the archives and research facility, large or small, we require that visitors please leave purses, tote bags, briefcases or other items locked in your vehicle when you visit the archives.

You may bring in a laptop computer or smart phone into the library with you, along with necessary chargers and power cords. We provide free access to electrical outlets, as well as free WiFi.

We encourage researchers to bring in notebooks and pencils into the library when visiting. No pens, please. If you don’t have a pencil, one will be provided. 

Research Time and Fees:

Staff can spend up to half an hour looking into your request free of charge (for non-members). Staff can assist with most research, free of charge, to active paid members of the Jefferson County Historical Society.  Join here! Members get an additional 50% discount on most Archive services.

Research conducted beyond your visit will be conducted as time allows but will be completed as soon as possible.

Other Fees:

Photocopies $0.50 Per letter size page paper (Addition fees on oversized sized paper].

Digital Photos $4.00 Standard resolution, per photo

(Higher resolution upon request, for additional fee).

(Researchers can provide their own personal thumb drives, or available for $10 each from the Library Archives)

All copies and digital images are to remain in the exclusive possession of the researcher and may only be used for research purposes. Permission is required to share copies or images with others or posted online. When so used, credit must be given to JCHS, especially if these are to be used commercially. 

Researching from Home: You may also send a descriptive email directly at  research@historicjeffersoncounty.org.

Online Finding Aids:

Click here or on the “Indexes” link in the menu bar to find searchable PDFs listing names and topics for which you can find information within many of our established manuscript collections.

Our collection of local, state, and regional history books, including printed or published family genealogies and books written by local authors, can be found here on our site atLibib. or event you may be researching.