Welcome to Old York Historical Society's Online Collections!
The collections of the Old York Historical Society focus on the rich history of York Village, York Harbor, York Beach, and Cape Neddick, Maine. Old York Historical Society collects objects, archival and ephemeral materials that were made, used, or are otherwise relative to the history of York.
In keeping with our mission to share York’s important role in the history of New England with the public, the organization launched its online collections website in the Summer of 2024. Each month new archival and object records are added. The collections of Old York are extensive and, by no means, fully represented by our current online offerings. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, or have a research question, our staff is happy to help.
The Old York Research Center, located at 96 Beech Ridge Road, is open year-round by appointment and easily reached by e-mail at research@oldyork.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Special Collection: Celebrating 125th Anniversary of Old Gaol Museum
In 2025, the Old York Historical Society marked 125 years of safeguarding the town’s rich history, tracing its origins to the preservation of Maine’s first prison, the Old Gaol. The Old Gaol, which stood in continuous use from 1656 to 1860, became the centerpiece of a preservation effort launched in 1899 by residents and summer visitors concerned about the deteriorating condition. Thanks to their advocacy, the Old Gaol opened to the public as a museum on July 4, 1900, showcasing York’s colonial past. In honor of the opening of the museum 125 years ago, we added a series of historic photographs to our online collection illustrating the history of the Old Gaol as a museum.
Family Collections
Family Collections consist of primary documents and other archival materials received together and relating to particular families in York. These collections were often received from the family’s descendants. The collections include diaries, correspondence, account books, scrapbooks, ships’ logs, architectural and engineering drawings, as well as the business-related materials.
Archives
Old York’s archival collection includes personal papers of local civic and business leaders, deeds, town and church records, account books and business records, and photographs.
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Photographs
Old York’s photography collection tells the distinct history of 19th and 20th century York and its residents. The collection includes images by photographers Douglas Armsden, Emma Lewis Coleman, Angevine Gowen, Patrick Grace, Henry Harding, Elizabeth Bishop Perkins, Frederick Butler Quimby, Melville Munro Smith, and many others.
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Objects
Old York has a rich and wide-ranging object collection that reflects all aspects of life in York over time. The collection includes personal items, furnishings, household goods, textiles, clothing, tools, paintings, ship models and more.
Reference Library
Old York’s Reference Library includes over 7,000 printed books and pamphlets relating to York’s history as well as historic topics of interest. Old York’s Research Center also houses a collection of 600 rare books including memoirs, early textbooks, sermons, Sunday school books, and novels from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Search the Old York Reference Library Collection (LibraryThing.com)
Search the Old York Pamphlets and Papers Collection