Local History & Genealogy
The place now known as Westfield has a deep and interesting history. In pre-colonial times, the Woronocos of the Pocomtuc tribe thrived in this area. During colonization, the early town stood as the western frontier of Massachusetts. Later, there came retailers, industrialists, teachers, and many others, all leaving their mark as part of the community.
Our local history collection has books, photographs, maps, and other materials related to the history of Westfield and its people. We welcome you to stop by or contact us to start your research.
Westfield History Room
The local history collection is available anytime the library is open, with no appointment needed. Please see a reference librarian to request materials. Items in the local history collection may only be used in the Reference Room.
Our local history collection includes:
- Westfield newspapers on microfilm, 1782 – present
- Miscellaneous Westfield records on microfilm, 1658 – 1850
- Westfield directories and street lists
- Westfield annual reports
- Westfield historical maps (reproductions)
- Westfield city/town histories
- Genealogical information: vital records, family histories, cemetery records
- Selected residential building information
- Business and industry information
- High school yearbooks
- Historic Westfield photographs
- Nearby town histories
- Diaries and journals
- Church records
Online resources:
- Edwin Online – our online archival collection
- Westfield Newspapers 1/1/1855 – 12/31/1923
- See all Westfield Athenaeum history & genealogy resources
- Ancestry.com (Library Edition) – accessible only on library computers.
Books to Check Out
You can find books on Westfield history in our circulating collection of nonfiction, section 974.4 W51 through 974.4 WES. Browse the Westfield books in our collection.
Genealogy & Local History Research Assistance
The Westfield Athenaeum welcomes your family and home genealogy and local history research requests in person and by telephone, email, or mail. Please contact the Local History Librarian at (413) 568-7833 x 5, or email a reference librarian.
If your project is extensive, we’re happy to help you get started. Our research assistance services are very popular, so to maximize our help to as many patrons as possible, research assistance is typically limited to 1 to 2 hours per patron. If more research is required, we can provide you with a list of genealogical resources.
Westfield Athenaeum Archives
The Donald Blair Research Center of the Westfield Athenaeum preserves unique materials on Westfield history. The Westfield Athenaeum Archives has over 500 linear feet of maps, drawings, papers, manuscripts, stereoscopes, mayoral papers, diaries, business ledgers, and ephemera.
Appointments are required to access archival materials. See our Archives page for further information.
