City of Boston Archives
Encyclopedia
The City of Boston Archives are located in West Roxbury
, MA, and are the repository for all official records that must be kept to honor both the history of the municipal government in Boston
and the legal rights of its citizens. The City Archives were established in 1988. The collection was originally housed in an old school building in Hyde Park, until the importance of preserving the expanding number of records became a focus of attention.
Most notably, the collections include:
West Roxbury, Massachusetts
West Roxbury is a neighborhood in Boston bordered by Roslindale to the north, the Town of Dedham to the east and south, the Town of Brookline and the City of Newton to the west. Many people mistakenly confuse West Roxbury with Roxbury, but the two are not connected. West Roxbury is separated from...
, MA, and are the repository for all official records that must be kept to honor both the history of the municipal government in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and the legal rights of its citizens. The City Archives were established in 1988. The collection was originally housed in an old school building in Hyde Park, until the importance of preserving the expanding number of records became a focus of attention.
Collections
The City Archives holds records for over 60 current and historic government entities and departments. The bulk of these records consist of documentation of the history of Boston since incorporation as a city in 1822, although some records go back to the early 17th century. It is only recently that many city departments have begun to give their records to the archives, so the collection is constantly growing. This is aided by the movement of the collections to the new facility in West Roxbury. Prior to this move, the Heritage Health Index Report had found that the resources and facilities at the Hyde Park facilities had been lacking.Most notably, the collections include:
- Records relating to immigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
and poverty at the time of the Irish Famine - Documentation of Boston’s role in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
- Boston Public Schools Desegregation-Era Records (assisted by a grant from the NHPRC and the city's largest department, Boston Public SchoolsBoston Public SchoolsBoston Public Schools is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.-Leadership:The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the Boston School Committee, a seven-member school board appointed by the Mayor after approval by a nominating committee of specified...
) - City Council Records
- Transit Department Records
- City Tax and Treasury Records