Access and Research Requests

The archive, artifact and library collections are available to everyone year-round by appointment for research.  Onsite we have a searchable database of catalog records with details about the collection.

*Due to the coronavirus, our offices and research facility are currently closed to visitors. Researchers and press may call or email and we will do our best to assist with time-sensitive requests.*

Please call (207) 326-4118 or email research@castinehistoricalsociety.org to schedule a visit or ask a question.

If you call or email:

• Be specific in your requests
• Give us time; we are glad to do research for you but it may be two weeks before we can get back to you.
• Consider becoming a member (if you aren’t already) to support this service

If you visit:

• Call ahead to make sure we will be available
• Be prepared for do-it-yourself research perusing files, books and albums
• Many of our reference files and books are in open stacks available for browsing
• Photocopies and scans will be provided at the discretion of the staff (fees apply)
• Photography for personal use is allowed

Other local sources:

• Witherle Memorial Library maintains a collection of Castine related books and holds microfilm copies of local newspapers and town records.
• The Wilson Museum’s local history collections dovetail with CHS collections; they also have a cemetery database project.