Research Opportunities at the
Mark Dewey Research Center
Director and Archivist: Elisabeth Wood
Hours: Monday & Friday, 1:30 to 4:00 pm or by appointment.
Inquires accepted by mail, telephone, and email.
Contact us: 159-161 Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257
(413) 229-3682 | [email protected]
Mark Dewey Research Center
Director and Archivist: Elisabeth Wood
Hours: Monday & Friday, 1:30 to 4:00 pm or by appointment.
Inquires accepted by mail, telephone, and email.
Contact us: 159-161 Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257
(413) 229-3682 | [email protected]
The collection of the Mark Dewey Research Center relates primarily to Sheffield and the surrounding towns in Berkshire County, Massachusetts with considerable additional sources on New England, especially Connecticut, plus New York state. Although many standard printed histories and genealogies constitute part of the reference material, the major significance of the Center’s collection is the wealth of primary sources that are not available anywhere else.
Except for a nominal charge for copies and postage, the Center is free and open to the public but donations are accepted to help us continue with our work. We also ask researchers for a copy of their family history, when completed, for the benefit of future patrons.
Trained volunteers will assist beginner or advanced researchers who by mail, email or telephone.
The following items are some brief highlights of the unique collections:
• Over 700 family files on Sheffield and South Berkshire County
•Subject files on important landmarks, buildings, organizations, events, and topics of local significance• Town documents dating from 1733 including tax records from 1763 to 1983
•House histories• Extensive collection of photographs including over 1,000 glass plate negatives
• Historic maps
• 19 volume collection of area obituaries and death notices
• Regional cemetery records
• Town vital records starting 1730
• Limited edition, privately printed family histories
• Veterans lists from the French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, and the Civil War along with Civil War memorabilia
Society Publications for Sale:
NEW! A Reissue with Supplement 1983-2008
Sheffield 1733-1983: A Pictorial Recollection
by Christopher Coenen. $20
Spend a Summer in Sheffield & Environs:
The Tourism Trade in the Railroad Era
by Bernard A. Drew. $15
Early Life in Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts
by James Miller. $27.50
Sheffield Frontier Town
by Lillian E. Preiss. $20
Except for a nominal charge for copies and postage, the Center is free and open to the public but donations are accepted to help us continue with our work. We also ask researchers for a copy of their family history, when completed, for the benefit of future patrons.
Trained volunteers will assist beginner or advanced researchers who by mail, email or telephone.
The following items are some brief highlights of the unique collections:
• Over 700 family files on Sheffield and South Berkshire County
•Subject files on important landmarks, buildings, organizations, events, and topics of local significance• Town documents dating from 1733 including tax records from 1763 to 1983
•House histories• Extensive collection of photographs including over 1,000 glass plate negatives
• Historic maps
• 19 volume collection of area obituaries and death notices
• Regional cemetery records
• Town vital records starting 1730
• Limited edition, privately printed family histories
• Veterans lists from the French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, and the Civil War along with Civil War memorabilia
Society Publications for Sale:
NEW! A Reissue with Supplement 1983-2008
Sheffield 1733-1983: A Pictorial Recollection
by Christopher Coenen. $20
Spend a Summer in Sheffield & Environs:
The Tourism Trade in the Railroad Era
by Bernard A. Drew. $15
Early Life in Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts
by James Miller. $27.50
Sheffield Frontier Town
by Lillian E. Preiss. $20