I decided to put together a few bits of information to help a new visitor to the facility. There are six floors, but several are off limits to the researcher. The photos below are in order, beginning with floor 1 to floor 6. Because there were other researchers there I opted not to take every photo possible. There is a very small lunchroom, a tiny refrigerator and vending machines. Restrooms are on each floor, there is an elevator, and two copy machines, copies .25 and you need to buy a copy card for $1. Best to bring change, as there is no change machine. You may want to bring your camera for copying pages, no portable hand-held scanners are allowed. Wireless internet access is available, and you need to restrict your cell phone use to outside the reading rooms.
Before arriving at the Library, if at all possible, you should use the Card Catalog for www.AmericanAncestors.org (Website for NEHGS), this will enable you to see the holdings in the Library. I will do a post on this in a few days.
The first thing a visitor does, is sign in with the receptionist. If you are with a group, there may be another procedure. There are a lot of restaurants around, some inexpensive, some not. However, are all crowded at lunchtime. If at all possible bring a lunch and eat there or carry it to the lovely park at Copley Square. If you have free time, I would suggest you walk two blocks to the Boston Public Library and check out their main reading room.
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| 99 - 101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA |
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| First floor, just as you enter the building. |
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| First floor, inner room. To the right is the lunchroom. |
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| 4th Floor, Microtext room. |
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| Some cabinets in Microtext room, filled with microfilm, mainly probates, deeds and vital records (MA is in another location). |
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| 5th Floor. State and Local Histories are here as well as the reading room to the right, and the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) Regional Headquarters. |
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| 5th Floor section of books continued, from this shot, are ME, VT and MA books on left, and RI, CT, NY, and NJ on the right. |
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| 6th Floor reading room (partial shot). Dress is casual. |
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| Book stacks on 6th Floor. Instructions on How-To-Find books is listed on left wall. |
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| First Floor book store. |
- New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (A very useful resource, and not online.)
- Ellis Island Dress and American Jewish Historical Society (The dress is currently in storage.)
