The Archives
Providing for the discovery and care of community heritageThe Chestnut Hill Conservancy Archives Collection
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy maintains a rapidly growing, professionally managed collection of more than 52,000 items documenting the community’s architectural and social history from the 1680s to the present. The collection contains architectural drawings and other records; more than 40,000 photographic images; maps including real estate atlases from the 1870s through the 1930s; prints, drawings, deeds, diaries, genealogical materials, books, taped and transcribed oral histories, and selected objects. The collection is available to the public for research purposes.
Visit the Chestnut Hill Conservancy Archives collection summaries as published in the Philadelphia Area Archives Research Portal.
HOURS
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Please visit the Conservancy’s program and event calendar for holidays and other days when the archives will be closed.
Appointments are preferred.
You can make an appointment using the “Contact the Archives” form at the bottom of this webpage.
The admission and research fee is $15 per visit, free for Chestnut Hill Conservancy members (become one now). Phone inquiries about our holdings and ready-reference questions will be answered without charge. Photocopies are $0.25 per page.
ACQUISITION AND PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
If you are interested in donating an item to the Archives, or if you need assistance with copies of our images for publication, web content, framing, or personal use, please contact Curator and Archivist Alex Bartlett at Alex@CHConservancy.Org or 215-247-9329 x 206.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY ARCHIVES
We invite everyone to contribute to preserving our community’s rich and diverse histories. If you or someone you know has old photographs, newspapers, letters, or ephemera associated with the Chestnut Hill community, please consider adding them to the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Archives.
These items are invaluable to researchers visiting our Archives. They help to document and share our history from its beginnings over 300 years ago to the present day. Your contributions ensure our community’s diverse stories are preserved and shared for future generations.
To find out how to donate, please fill out the form linked HERE or contact Conservancy Curator and Archivist Alex Bartlett by email at Alex@CHConservancy.Org or by phone at 215-247-9329 x 206.
RESEARCH BY MAIL OR EMAIL
For those who live at too great a distance to visit the Archives, staff can conduct research at a fee of $35 (paid in advance) for up to two hours; $15 per hour thereafter. This service includes up to 10 photocopies and up to $2 postage for delivery; additional photocopies and postage will carry additional charge. Research fees apply whether or not relevant information is found. Contact us using the “Contact the Archives” form below, and please include your phone number, email address, and mailing address.
Contact the Archives
Made possible with the generous support of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.