History Room Collection

A Special Collection Devoted to Local History

  • Books about Bristol
  • Cemetery and church records
  • City directories (1884 – 1991): containing sections for Bristol, Terryville, & Plainville.
  • Diaries: such as Candace Robert’s diary & excerpts from Sylvia Lewis’ diary from the early 19th century
  • Maps of Bristol: including Sanborn Insurance and topographical maps. An 1802 Survey of Bristol Turnpikes is the oldest original map in the collection.
  • Newspapers:
    • The Bristol Press newspaper is available on microfilm from 1871 – 2006 & 2012-present. The subject index for this newspaper makes it easy to research a wide variety of topics.
    • Copies of the Bristol Observer, a weekly newspaper, are accessible from December 2004 to the present. There are some missing issues of this newspaper.
  • Oral histories
  • Photographs & Postcards: view over 3000 photographs and several hundred postcards. Some of them are part of the Treasures of CT Libraries digital collection.
  • Yearbooks

Bristol History Room's Highlights

  • Candice Robert’s diary & excerpts from Sylvia Lewis’ diary from the early 19th century
  • Books with soldier lists from various wars starting with the American Revolution
  • Civil War letters
  • The book “Bristol in World War II”
  • Material highlighting local clock makers
  • Books about prominent companies such as Associated Spring & New Departure
  • Over 3000 photographs and several hundred postcards. Some of them are part of the Treasures of CT Libraries digital collection.

Visit Our WW II Scrapbook