Imagine thousands of photographs artifacts and documents that tell the story of a vibrant borough. This is The Bronx County Historical Society. Founded in 1955 it’s more than just a historical society. It’s a keeper of The Bronx’s flame.
The Bronx County Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution. New York State Board of Regents chartered it. It dedicates itself to collecting preserving and sharing the history of The Bronx. The society also covers lower Westchester County. Its focus stretches from the earliest indigenous inhabitants to the present day.
The Bronx County Historical Society disseminates information. It reaches the general public schools students and historians. Community members activists urban planners and museum staff all benefit. They learn about the historical social and economic development of The Bronx. The society uses its collections in many ways. It creates exhibits does historical research and conducts oral history projects. They also produce publications and offer educational programs.
The Bronx County Historical Society operates several key facilities. There is a Research Center with a Research Library. It houses The Bronx County Archives. The society also manages two national landmark historic house museums. These are the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and the Museum of Bronx History at the Valentine-Varian House.
The Research Library is a treasure trove. It holds over 7000 books pamphlets newspapers and periodicals. A growing number are in digital format. There are also more than 200 atlases and sheet maps. The Photograph Collection boasts 75000 images. These include rare 19th and early 20th-century glass negatives. The library also has a sizable A/V Collection. It contains audio cassettes reel-to-reel tapes and videos. The Vertical file collection holds 400000 newspaper clippings. These cover a wide range of Bronx subjects.
The Bronx County Archives began in 1974. It serves as a repository for Bronx municipal records. The Archives now have a dedicated building. It has climate-controlled storage space. The Bronx County Archives house 114 individual collections. These uniquely document many aspects of Bronx history. They include businesses city planning and cultural institutions. The archives also cover education healthcare and housing. Black and Jewish life in the borough are especially well-documented. Latino life and culture are also increasingly represented.
The Bronx County Historical Society also publishes books articles and journals. The Bronx County Historical Society Journal is the oldest continuously published historical periodical in the New York metropolitan area. Since 1955 the society has produced many items on Bronx history. These include classroom guides primary source collections and videos.
The official historian of The Bronx is traditionally headquartered at The Bronx County Historical Society. This ensures a close link between historical research and the society’s mission.
The Bronx County Historical Society promotes pride in The Bronx. It recovers and preserves the borough’s place in history. The buildings it maintains are major attractions. They serve as anchors for thriving communities. Through its multifaceted activities The Bronx County Historical Society ensures that the stories of The Bronx are never forgotten. It keeps the borough’s vibrant past alive for generations to come.