Special Collections

The Local History Collection includes many rare or unique documents and objects. To protect and preserve these items (which make up our “special collections”), we store them separately from the materials shelved in the Local History Room.

All special collections are open to the public unless otherwise stated. To access these materials, we suggest that patrons contact staff before visiting the library. Please note that the Local History Room is not open at this time due to COVID-19.

Not sure where to start? Explore our special collections by searching the library catalog or browsing the finding aids below.

Watertown Organizations

Grand Army of the Republic. Isaac B. Patten Post No. 81 (Watertown, Mass.). Record books, 1871-1904 (inclusive) _SC103

Watertown Woman’s Club. Records, 1894-1994 (inclusive) _SC101

View the collection

Young Men’s Assembly. Records, 1888-1904 (inclusive) _SC113

Young People’s Literary Society. Account books and ledgers, 1868-1890 (inclusive) _SC104

Rand, Edward A. Historical Society of Watertown Scrapbook

View the index

View the collection: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, or Volume 5

Watertown People

Hosmer, Alfred G. Family records, 1869-1958 _{HIST 929.2 HOSMER 1869-1958}

Newcomb family. Papers and photographs, 1850-1912. _{HIST 929.2 NEWCOMB 1850-1912}

Santoro, Joseph L. C. Collection, 1928-1986 (inclusive) _SC112

Thayer, Helen E. Collection, 1848-1950 _{HIST 929.2 THAYER}

Watson, Sigrid Reddy. Watertown Echoes collection, 1981-2008 (inclusive) _SC110

Watertown Government / Town Records

Departments and offices

Auditor. Correspondence, 1919-1920 (inclusive) _TW119

Board of Assessors. Records, 1775-1926 (inclusive) _TW009

Board of Selectmen. Records, 1737-1924 (inclusive) _TW011

                View the collection

Overseers of the Poor. Records, 1714-1877 (inclusive) _TW005

School Committee. Records, 1790-1877 (inclusive) _TW012

Fish wardens’ records, 1780-1826 (inclusive) _TW001

Stray animal records, 1729-1810 (inclusive) _TW007

Police logbooks, 1908-1930 (inclusive) _TW102

Special Committees/Other

Application of William J. Calnan, Highway Department employee, for a pension, 1919-1932 (inclusive) _TW108

Committee Concerning the Building of an Almshouse. Records, 1749-1793 (inclusive) _TW004

Committee to Enter into Articles of Agreement with Meridian Lodge. Records, 1803 _TW003

Parker School Building Committee. Records, 1912-1915 (inclusive) _TW105

Special Committee on the Athletic Field. Records, 1920 _TW103

War Service Committee. Records and soldiers’ letters, 1941-1946 (inclusive) _TW120