Special Collections
The Local History Collection includes many rare or unique documents and objects. To protect and preserve these items, we store many of them separately from the materials shelved in the Local History Room. These are considered "closed stack."
All special collections are open to the public unless otherwise stated. But to access closed stack materials, we suggest that patrons contact staff before visiting the library. This allows us to prepare the materials before your visit.
Not sure where to start? Explore our special collections by searching the library catalog or browsing the finding aids below.
Watertown Organizations
Citizens' League of Watertown. Record book, 1896-1901 (inclusive) SC118
Ecumenical Life Center. Scrapbooks, 1974-1993 (inclusive) HIST 280.042 ECU
Grand Army of the Republic. Isaac B. Patten Post No. 81. Record books, 1871-1904 (inclusive) SC103
Rand, Rev. Edward A. Historical Society of Watertown. Scrapbooks, 1889-1903 (inclusive) SC114
View the collection: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, or Volume 5
Republican Caucus. Records, 1896-1913 (inclusive) SC119
Veterans of Foreign Wars Burnham-Manning Post No. 1105. Scrapbooks, 1925-1976 (inclusive) SC207
Watertown Book Club. Records, 1875-1999 (inclusive) SC117
Watertown Fireman's Relief Association. Memorabilia collection, 1854-1965 SC107
Watertown Woman’s Club. Records, 1894-1994 (inclusive) SC101
Young Men’s Assembly. Records, 1888-1904 (inclusive) SC113
Young People’s Literary Society. Account books, ledgers, and by-laws, 1868-1890 (inclusive) SC104
Watertown People
Capoccia, Anthony L. Watertown Arsenal collection, 1917, circa 1957-1964 (inclusive) SC111
Fitz, Asa. Collected papers, 1840-1878 (inclusive) SC201
Fitz, Charles F., Sr. Collected papers, 1866-1905 (inclusive) SC202
Fitz, Ellen E. Collected papers, 1853-1887 (inclusive) SC203
Fitz Family. Collected papers and photographs, circa 1860-1946 SC204
Francis, Convers. Collection, 1759-1861 (inclusive), 1818-1856 (bulk) SC115
Hodges, Maud deLeigh. Letters and manuscripts, 1952-1970 (inclusive), undated SC206
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
Peterson Family. World War Two collection, 1942-1946 (inclusive) SC301
Pierce Family. Photograph album, circa 1865-1885 (inclusive) SC205
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 / Municipal Records
Departments and offices
Auditor. Correspondence, 1919-1920 (inclusive) TW119
Board of Assessors. Records, 1775-1926 (inclusive) TW009
Board of Registrars. Records, 1760-1989 (inclusive) TW002
Board of Selectmen. Records, 1737-1924 (inclusive) TW011
Clerk. Records, 1749-1957 (inclusive) TW101
Fish wardens. Records, 1780-1826 (inclusive) TW001
Overseers of the Poor. Records, 1714-1877 (inclusive) TW005
Police Department. Logbooks, 1908-1930 (inclusive) TW102
Public works records, 1719-1937 (inclusive) TW008
School Committee. Records, 1790-1877 (inclusive) TW012
Stray animal records, 1729-1810 (inclusive) TW007
Treasurer. Records, 1695-1887 (inclusive) TW010
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
Phillips School Building Committee. Records, 1935-1938 (inclusive) TW106
Recycling Advisory Board. Records, 1980-1994, 2002 (inclusive) TW118
Special Committee on the Athletic Field. Records, 1920 TW103
War Service Committee. Records and soldiers’ letters, 1941-1946 (inclusive) TW120