Welcome to Old York Historical Society's Online Collections!
About our 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 the York region, generally defined as Southern York County. The collections have a particular focus on—but are not limited to—the Colonial period and the Early National Era of 1789 to 1837.
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 sense, new photographs, archives, and object records are added to the online collection. Check back regularly to see what's new and follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates and behind-the-scene activities.
Old York – and the origin of its current collections – took root on July 4th, 1900 with the opening of the Old Gaol Museum. Founded through the advocacy of York residents and summer visitors, the Museum was a seasonal showcase of materials relating to York’s colonial past displayed in York’s Old Gaol, a National Historic Landmark. The modern day collections of Old York are extensive and, by no means, fully represented by our current online offerings. For example, the Old York archival collection includes the personal papers of local civic and business leaders, deeds, town and church records, account books, business records, ledgers, diaries and letters. If you are curious about a particular subject, building, individual or family please reach out. We are 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!
