This directory lists 695 local history organizations across the United States: county and town historical societies, history museums, state archives, historic house museums, and national historic sites. Each state page lists every organization we have verified for that state with its city, founding date, and website, and the larger institutions have their own page describing collections, research services, and visiting details.
Each state page is also a short research guide. It explains where that state keeps birth, death, and marriage records, which office holds deeds, which newspapers have been digitized, and where to find Sanborn maps and National Register files. If you are starting a house history or family history project, open your state page first and then use the guides linked from it.
Browse by State
The number shown is the count of organizations currently listed for that state. The name that follows is the first featured institution on that page.
How to Use This Directory
- Start with the county. Most research questions about a house, a business, or a family are answered at the county level. On the state page, look for the society whose name matches your county, then the town.
- Check what each organization holds. Society pages describe archives, photo collections, obituary files, and research hours when the organization publishes them. A small volunteer society may hold the only copy of a plat book or a church register.
- Email before you visit. Many societies open only one or two days a week and are staffed by volunteers. A short email that names the family, address, or date range you are researching will usually get a useful reply. Our guide to finding and working with a local historical society includes a sample request.
- Use the state archives for official records. Historical societies hold local collections. Vital records, land patents, and court files are usually at the state archives or the county office named on the state page.
What Counts as a Historical Society
We list organizations whose main purpose is preserving and sharing the history of a specific place: historical societies, heritage foundations, county and city history museums, historic house museums open to the public, state historical agencies and archives, and National Park Service historical sites. We do not list private collections, commercial attractions, or genealogical societies that have no physical collection, and we remove organizations that we cannot verify as still operating.
Research Guides to Pair with the Directory
- When Was My House Built? and Who Lived in My House Before Me?
- How to Find Where Someone Is Buried and Free Grave Finders, Step by Step
- Old City Directories and Old Phone Books Online
- Finding Old Photos of Your House and Neighborhood
- Family History Research for Free
Submit or Correct a Listing
If your organization is missing, or a listing has a wrong address, founding date, or website, email info@historicalsite.org with the organization name, city and state, street address, website, founding year, and a sentence or two about the collections. We verify every submission against the organization's own site before adding it, and we usually reply within five business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this directory free to use?
Yes. Every listing, state page, and research guide on this site is free, and we do not require an account. Organizations are listed at no charge.
How current is the information?
Addresses, websites, and founding dates are checked against each organization's official website. Hours and admission change often, so we link to the official site rather than reprint them, and we note on each page when details should be confirmed before a visit.
Why does my state list fewer organizations than I expected?
We list only organizations we have been able to verify. Several states have hundreds of small town societies with no web presence; we add them as we confirm them. If you know of one, use the submission email above.
What is the difference between a historical society and the state archives?
A historical society is usually a nonprofit that collects local photographs, papers, and artifacts and may run a museum. The state archives is a government agency that holds official records such as vital records, land patents, court files, and state census returns. For most projects you will use both, and each state page explains where to go for which record.