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Special Collections
Discover Lawrence’s History
Explore the people, places, industries, communities, and events that have shaped Lawrence through photographs, newspapers, manuscripts, books, maps, yearbooks, archival records, and other historical materials.
Plan Your Research Visit
The Local History & Special Collections are available for research at the Main Library. Materials are non-circulating and must be used in the Library. Some materials require staff retrieval, so contacting Special Collections' archivist before your visit is recommended, particularly for archival or microfilm research. Please call or email Jaden Belizaire at 978-620-3615 or jaden.belizaire@cityoflawrence.com for plan your visit.
Special Collections materials are unique and often irreplaceable. To help preserve them for future generations, researchers must follow special handling procedures while using the collection. Please note:
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Food and drinks are not permitted when using Special Collections materials.
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Use pencils rather than pens.
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Some materials may require special handling.
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Photography may be permitted, subject to restrictions.
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Staff will assist with the retrieval and proper handling of archival materials
View complete Special Collections Rules and Procedures.
Where are the collections?
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Local History materials. Second Floor — Main Library
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Archival & Special Collections materials. Stored in the third-floor archives and available upon request.
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Microfilm readers. Second Floor — Main Library.
Explore Our Collections
Digital Resources
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Yearbooks. Digitized Lawrence High School yearbooks are available through the Internet Archive. View yearbooks.
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Digital Commonwealth. Digitized materials from Lawrence Public Library’s collections. Explore Digital Commonwealth.
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The Evening Tribune. Digitized historical issues from the Library’s collection. Search The Evening Tribune.
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Lawrence Web Archive. Explore archived websites documenting Lawrence’s digital history. Explore the Web Archive.
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Library’s Queen City, Massachusetts “Catalog”. Explore Queen City.
Irish Collection
The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 8 Irish Collection contains thousands of books, records, videos, and serials relating to Ireland and Irish history and culture. It is housed in the David R. Burke Memorial Room at the South Branch Library.
Genealogical Resources
The Library’s genealogical holdings include:
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Lawrence city directories from 1847 to the present, with 1847–1960 available on microfilm.
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Federal Census records for Lawrence for selected years between 1850 and 1930 (on microfilm).
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Lawrence street lists from 1886 – present.
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Published family histories.
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Historical atlases from 1875, 1895, 1896, 1906 and 1926.
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Birth record index. These records may include: baptismal records, birth certificates, passports, and other forms of identification submitted by parents to verify the ages of their children. Many of these documents date from approximately 1910 to 1930. The Library’s Birth Records Index contains the names of individuals represented in the collection and, when available, their dates of birth. Approximately 2% of the records include photographs of children and, in some cases, their families. These images and documents offer a unique glimpse into the lives of families who came to Lawrence during the early twentieth century.
Immigration, Labor, & Textile History
Resources documenting Lawrence’s industrial history, textile mills, labor movements, immigration, and the communities that built the city. The collection includes substantial material relating to the 1912 Textile Strike/Bread and Roses Strike. See Lawrence Textile Strike of 1912 Bibliography
Local History Room
Books, manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, maps, government records, organizational records, ephemera, and other materials documenting Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley. Explore the contents or search the online catalog.
Local History & Special Collections Development Policy
The Lawrence Public Library is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of Lawrence, Massachusetts. We are proud to offer our patrons access to our wide range of books, magazines, and other media, as well as our Special Collections Development Policy. This policy ensures that our library is actively developing its collections with materials that are relevant to our local community and its history. We strive to ensure that our library remains an invaluable and accessible resource for our patrons. Read the complete policy.
Help Us To Preserve Lawrence's History
Your Story Is Part of Lawrence History
Lawrence has long been known as the Immigrant City, shaped by generations of people who have made the city their home. Irish, French Canadian, English, and German immigrants were among the communities that helped shape Lawrence during the nineteenth century, followed by Italians, Poles, Lithuanians, Syrians, and many others around the turn of the twentieth century. Later generations brought growing Puerto Rican, Dominican, Latin American, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and other communities whose experiences continue to shape Lawrence today.
Lawrence Public Library wants to help preserve these stories for future generations.
The Library welcomes potential donations of materials that document the history and experiences of Lawrence, its residents, families, neighborhoods, communities, government, businesses, institutions, and organizations.
What Can You Donate?
We are interested in historical materials such as:
Photographs • Letters • Diaries • Family Papers • Organizational Records • Flyers & Posters • Books & Publications • Documents • Digital Files • Other Materials Related to Lawrence
Materials may be accepted in manuscript, printed, photographic, audiovisual, or digital formats, depending on their relevance to the collection and the Library's ability to preserve them.
Have Something to Share?
If you have materials that may help document Lawrence's history, please contact Special Collections. Library staff will review potential donations to determine whether they are appropriate for the collection. Please call or email Jaden Belizaire at 978-620-3615 or jaden.belizaire@cityoflawrence.com.