Collections - The Prince-Bjerknes Archives Center:
The Southold Historical Museum has a large archival collection consisting of original diaries, letters, documents, ledgers, daybooks, genealogies, photographs, drawings, other related materials.
The Prince-Bjerknes Archives Center is named for Helen Prince and Clara Bjerknes, who together first took on the job of organizing the extensive archival holdings of the museum. It is through their initial efforts that we are able to aid researchers from around the world. We welcome you to plan a visit:
Please read our Archive Guidelines.
See our Frequently Asked Questions.
In-Person Archives Hours & Contact:
The Archives Center is by appointments only, please set up your appointments at least two weeks in advance..
Feel free to submit research questions clicking HERE
View a Portion of Our Collection Online.
New York Heritage/Southold Historical Museum
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Featured Collections:
The Ann Currie-Bell Collection
The ACB Collection consists of the writings, research, and photographs complied by Ann Hallock Currie-Bell (1897-1964), the museum's first President. The Collection also contains a large amount of material on Ann's husband, Scottish-American painter Thomas Currie-Bell (1873-1946).
The Henry Fitz Family Collection
This collection holds items relating to Henry Fitz (1808-1863), America's most famous 19th century telescope and glass lense maker. The collection includes receipts, letters, notes, and photographs relating to Fitz's career and his immediate family.
The Frank K. Hartley Collection
This collection holds the work of Frank Hartley, a photographer based out of Greenport, L.I. Hartley captured images of everyday life on the North Fork, with a particular focus on Greenport. The majority of the glass-plate negative images in this collection date from about 1890 through 1910.
The Wiles Family Collection
This collection holds items relating to Lemuel Maynard Wiles (1826-1905), Irving Ramsay Wiles (1861-1948), and Gladys Lee Wiles (1888-1983), as well as other related family members and associates. All three were noted American painters and this collection includes correspondence, photographs, catalogs, and other important documentary material.
The Meredith Collection
Charles Meredith was a local photographer originally based out of Cutchogue, L.I. His career, which spanned from the 1930's through the 1960's, led to the creation of an archive containing thousands of images of daily life, including parades, accidents, funerals, and locales, covering all parts of Southold Township.