Historic Takoma
History Lives Here
History Lives Here
Historic Takoma maintains two types of archives – the Reading Room and the Research Archives.
The Reading Room includes various reference collections and is open to the public two Sundays each month. Details on collections and hours can be found at the Reading Room page.
The Research Archives contain original materials including maps, personal papers, photographs, newspapers, documents, objects, and memorabilia documenting Takoma Park’s history from its founding as an early railroad in the late 1800’s to the vibrant city it is today. The core of the collections is materials transferred from the Takoma Park Historical Society in the early 1980s. Since that time Historic Takoma has collected additional materials from civic groups and individuals to continue to document and chronicle the Takoma Park’s history. A small amount of the Research Archives has been cataloged. The all volunteer Archives Committee continues to process the collections and create a catalog.
In the meantime spreadsheet indexes are available for some of the collections. Each spreadsheet can be searched using the “Find” capability or sorted by column. There are three indexes:
The Research Archives may be accessed by appointment by writing to archives@historictakoma.org.
Historic Takoma plans to digitize many of the Research Archives to preserve and protect fragile materials and to make them more widely available to the public. While this effort is underway various materials are available on an interim basis.
House and Garden Tour Brochure Index.
House and Garden Tour brochures
Historic Takoma, Inc. Newsletters
Various documents (including maps, tax assessment records, and scrapbooks from early residents)