Research Room

Even More To Explore

The Research Department of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County is committed to providing access to our collection, which includes over four million photographs, hundreds of postcards, architectural drawings, manuscripts, diaries, maps, and artifacts to researchers, students, and patrons. Gathered since 1937, our collection encompasses materials spanning centuries in Palm Beach County and Florida.

Schedule A Research Appointment

Research appointments in person, due to COVID-19, are now limited to Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 AM and 3 PM. The Research Room will be closed for the month of February due to the rise in virus cases. Every year it is closed from July 1 through Labor Day.

Virtual research appointments are available via Zoom. Please email a description of your project to the Research Director.

Rose Guerrero, Research Director
rguerrero@pbchistory.org
(561) 832-4164 ext. 112

Historical Society of Palm Beach County
P.O. Box 4364
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4364

Search Online

The Historical Society of Palm Beach County’s growing archival collection catalog is available online for research and browsing.

Archives

FAQs

Email: rguerrero@pbchistory.org

Phone: (561) 832-4164 ext. 112

Post Mail:
Ms. Rose Guerrero
Historical Society of Palm Beach County
P.O. Box 4364
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4364

Staff will evaluate your request with a preliminary search of the Archives and advise you what, if anything, has been found on your subject of interest. If there is an abundance of material on hand, you may be asked to make a research appointment to review what is available in the Reading Room.

Research appointments are currently made for Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. At this time, only one person at a time is permitted to do research in the Reading Room. You may bring laptop computers, but be prepared to use battery back-up in the event outlets are unavailable. The Reading Room is closed to research from July 1 through Labor Day each year.

Research appointments are free and materials fees are reduced for members of the Historical Society, according to the level of membership.  The fee for non-members is $20 per hour.  Memberships may be purchased during your appointment.

If you are unable to visit in person or if time is of the essence, staff and/or volunteers can conduct research, write a report, or copy materials, for a fee of $100 to $150 per hour.

Photocopies can be made of items that are in good condition. Photocopies up to 8-1/2” x 14” cost .25 per sheet for black and white and .50 per sheet for color. Copies at 11” x 17” cost .50 per sheet for black and white and $1 per sheet for color. Mailing fees are added when appropriate. Payment must be arranged in advance.

Interested in purchasing a digital image that you’ve seen on our social media, in the Museum, or on our website? The Research Room offers hi-resolution digital reproductions to meet your personal, display, publication, and advertising needs. For more information on the costs associated with obtaining and licensing images, please view the price sheet here or contact the Research Director.

Yes. The type of use must be specified on the Society’s Application for Permission form (click to download). Conditions governing use are specified in the contractual agreement, which must be signed by the user and a representative of the Historical Society. Please review the form for related fees and restrictions.