History Resources

This page features organizations and websites that may be useful for people interested in history, including the history of science and technology. See the City Guides for information about local resources.

Online Collections

Airships.net — Information about airships of yore, including the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Artstor Digital Library — An online database of images (many historic) from museums, photo archives and other sources.

Canmore — This website is described as "the online catalogue to Scotland’s archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage." It's maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, a public organization responsible for preserving and promoting historic sites in the country.

The Commons — Flickr hosts this repository of photos from libraries and other institutions around the world. Participating institutions include the National Library of Medicine, The British Library, The National Archives UK, Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and New York Public Library.

David Rumsey Historical Map Collection — An online database of historical maps.

Digital Public Library of America — Access to online collections from public libraries in the U.S.

Fish Wrap — A blog from Newspapers.com highlighting historical incidents as reported by newspapers at the time.

Google Patents — Online access to patents from around the world, including 19th century patents. It's much better than the USPTO search engine.

History of the Wheel — A concise history from a supplier of forklift parts.

Internet Archive — Described as a "non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more." Much of the collection dates from prior to 1923.

Library of Congress — The website includes an online database of historic photos and other media.

The National Archives — Online access to materials about UK history.

NYS Historic Newspapers — Free online access to newspaper archives in New York state.

Newspapers.com — A searchable archive of newspapers going back to the 1700s. It consists primarily of North American newspapers but also includes other English-speaking countries. Full access requires a subscription. The basic $7.95/month plan includes older editions, mostly from 1922 or earlier.

Project Gutenberg — The project is best-known as a source of classic literature in e-book form, but it also includes digitized versions of 19th century magazines such as Scientific American.

Shapell Manuscript Foundation — An online database of historic documents.

The Victorian Web — A comprehensive repository of information about the Victorian era.

World Coin Gallery — Information about coins from around the world and when they circulated.

World Banknote Gallery — Information about banknotes from around the world and when they circulated.

Organizations

Aircraft Engine Historical Society — This group seeks to preserve "the rich history of all engines used in aerial propulsion, including rocket engines." It maintains a document collection and holds an annual conference.

American Association for State and Local History — This organization provides resources for history professionals at the state and local level.

American Aviation Historical Society — The society publishes a journal and hosts meetings about aviation history.

American Association for the History of Medicine — AAHM describes itself as "a professional association of historians, physicians, nurses, archivists, curators, librarians, and others." It aims to promote "research, study, writing, and interest in the history of medicine and allied fields."

American Historical Association — A professional organization for historians. It has affiliated societies in specialties such as military, science and Victorian history.

American Numismatic Society — An organization "dedicated to the study and public appreciation of coins, currencies, medals, and other related objects." The website includes access to the society's extensive collections.

Association for Industrial Archaeology — This organization "promotes the study, preservation and presentation of Britain’s industrial heritage." It's housed at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.

British Association for Local History — A non-profit for local historians in the UK, ranging from "interested individuals and members of local societies to professionals in the field."

British Horological Institute — BHI is a membership organization for people with a professional or personal interest in clocks and other timepieces. It publishes a journal, offers training, sets professional standards and operates a museum.

British Society for the History of Science — The society aims to "foster understanding of the history and social impact of science, technology and medicine." The website includes a travel guide to scientific sites around the world.

Canada's History Society — This group promotes awareness of Canadian history and publishes Canada's History magazine.

Canadian Historical Association — An organization for professional historians and others with an interest in Canadian history.

Center for History of Physics — This program from the American Institute of Physics provides resources for "the scholarly community to document, investigate, and understand the nature and origin of developments in modern physics and their impact on society."

The Historical Association — This UK-based group supports "the teaching, learning and enjoyment of history at all levels."

Historical Reenactors and Vendors — An Etsy group for historical reenactors and people who sell to them.

History of Science Society — This academic organization aims to "foster interest in the history of science and its social and cultural relations."

MacGregor Historic Games — An online retailer of historic games. The social media page includes links to resources about historic games.

Newcomen Society — This group aims to "encourage study of the history of engineering and technology from ancient times to the present day." It's named for the inventor of the first practical steam engine.

PreservationDirectory.com — This website has extensive listings of historical societies and history museums in North America. You can also find many of these places in our City Guides.

Renaissance Society of America — This scholarly organization focuses on the study of history from 1300 to 1700. Members include academics, students, museum staff and librarians.

Royal Historical Society — A UK-based society for professional historians.

Scientific Instrument Society — This UK-based group aims "to bring together people with a specialist interest in scientific instruments, ranging from precious antiques to electronic devices only recently out of production."

Society for Industrial Archeology — This organization hosts conferences and produces a journal for individuals "who have a strong interest in preserving, interpreting and documenting our industrial past and heritage."

Society for Military History — A professional organization for historians and others with an interest in military history.

Society for the History of Astronomy — This UK-based organization publishes a journal, The Antiquarian Astronomer, and hosts conferences on the history of astronomy.

Society for the History of Discoveries — This professional organization aims to "stimulate teaching, research, and publishing all aspects of the history of discovery, exploration, and mapping of the earth's land and sea surfaces."

Society for the History of Technology — This professional society publishes the journal Technology and Culture, and hosts special interest groups in areas such as flight, electrical technology, communications technology and chemical technology.

Victorian Society in America — The society describes itself as "the only national non-profit organization committed to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education, and enjoyment of our nineteenth century heritage."