We provide research services for written or telephoned inquiries. Please bear in mind that our staff is small, and most are unpaid volunteers. We do not search for data beyond our premises.
If you would like to request library research, please be aware that there is a $10.00 minimum fee, payable in advance. This entitles the requestor to one hour's research. $10.00 will be charged per additional hour. To keep expenses down a maximum time limit may be set, e.g. two hours, or $20.00. In addition, we charge .25 cents per standard 8 1/2 x 11 inch photocopy.
We also urge that inquiries be as specific as possible. The requestor should supply information already known and sources already checked in order to avoid repetition.
Should you wish to pursue this research please remit the $10.00 minimum fee and make the check payable to the: Broome County Historical Society, 185 Court St., Binghamton, NY, 13901. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Send any e-mail inquiries to the Local History/Genealogy Center: localhistory@bclibrary.info. The same fee for research applies to e-mail inquiries. Inquiries will be handled once all monies have been forwarded. Please make the check out to:
Broome County Public Library
185 Court St.
Binghamton, NY 13901
For all other inquiries please contact us by telephone at 607-778-3572 or 607-778-2076.
Membership:
Since 1919 the Broome County Historical Society has been collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of our area. The generosity of our membership has helped the society engage in five major areas and many activities, including:
Programs-- nine regular programs each year and special lectures, workshops and trips.
Publications-- two issues of our newsletter, Broome County History Bulletin, published each year. Interesting publications on our area's history including, Skylights and Sunbeams, a photo-filled book about the early photographers in Broome County, and Robert Harpur's New York
, an in-depth look at the career of local educator and land developer, Robert Harpur.
Collections-- the society maintains a collection of over 100,000 items covering our area from pre-history to the present. We have preserved these items by using current museum and archival standards. The society added nearly 100 items in 2001.
Library-- the BCHS is a major participant in the Local History & Genealogy Center in the Broome County Public Library. The Center opened in December 2000 and over 68,000 people have visited. A collection of over 5,000 books, 4,000 manuscripts, 75,000 photographic images, 50,000 clippings, 150,000 obituaries, and an index of 225,000 names are maintained in the Local History & Genealogy Center.
Exhibits-- using items from the society's collections, as well as others, we have held many exhibits for residents and visitors to enjoy. Recent exhibits include Answering the Call: Two Centuries of Broome County Firefighting and Celebrating Many Lands. Exhibits can be viewed at the Local History & Genealogy Center at the Broome County Public Library, the Binghamton Visitors Center, the Endicott Visitors Center (both part of the Susquehanna Heritage Area), and the Local History Gallery at Roberson Museum and Science Center.
Members of the Broome County Historical Society receive 10% off any BCHS publication. Your membership dollars help us to continue our valuable work.
Our work is also sustained by a loyal and dedicated group of 20 volunters who contributed over 2400 hours of time in 2001. Please call us if you are interested in volunteering.
Please click here to print out a copy of the membership form. Send the form, along with your check, to:
Treasurer,
Broome County Historical Society
185 Court Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
