Our Collections
World War One Correspondence of Private Frederick Miller
Volunteer Anne Kelsey Hayden at the Essex Spotting Station during WWII
EHS helps preserve the town’s history through its active collections program, which catalogues and safely stores over 7,000 objects related to the town’s history.
Strengths of the collections include materials connected to local businesses and the ivory industry, objects associated with maritime trade, maps, and an extensive collection of Essex photographs and postcards.
Each week, trained volunteers gather at Hills Academy, where the majority of the collection is housed, to assist with restoration and research. They work to document, properly accession and archive new pieces, ensure that existing pieces are properly conserved, and conduct historical research.
Once accessioned, items in the EHS collection are shared with the public in a variety of ways:
The Pratt House Museum captures three centuries of life in a port town through its collection of furniture, decorative arts and household items.
Select items are shared through temporary exhibits at the Essex Library and elsewhere in town.
Items are brought to local classrooms and shared as part of our Students as Historians program.
One of the joys of living in the three villages of Essex is the feeling that the past is alive today in the carefully preserved historic homes and public buildings that abound in our area.
Interested in donating an item to the EHS collection?
EHS gladly accepts donations of historically appropriate objects to its collection. These include paintings, photographs, books, manuscripts and other documents. Many such objects are given by local families with a long history in the three villages. Others are often found during renovations of period homes, in attics or even inside of walls.
If you have an object that you believe may be appropriate for inclusion in the EHS Collection, please contact us to provide information and learn more about our Collections policy.
Collections at Essex Library
Essex on the Homefront: World War II
Visit our exhibit cases at the Essex Library to explore objects and photographs featuring Essex’s civilian contributions to the WWII efforts at home. This exhibit has been guest curated by our team of student volunteers who have been helping us this summer.
Become a Volunteer Archivist!
If your passion is for historical research and preservation, consider joining our active group of volunteer archivists! Volunteers typically gather on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and handle a variety of tasks and projects.
Click here for more info!
Submit a Research Request
Staff and volunteers are available to conduct research on behalf of community members seeking Essex family or home history. Please fill out the form below and one of our team will get back to you within the week.
Workers from the Lathe Room Gang of Comstock, Cheney & Co., circa 1895