The Sharlot Hall Museum Library & Archives is a full-service Research Center. The Center provides a variety of resources and archival materials for patrons’ and researchers’ use as they investigate, examine and study the various topics concerning Prescott, the surrounding communities, Yavapai County and the Arizona Central Highlands area. The Museum was established in 1928, and, in essence, the archives, too. Hence, we have a variety of materials in the collections that reach back into Arizona’s Territorial era right up to the present.
Our reference desk staff and volunteers welcome patrons’ queries and will assist all on their path of inquiry and research. Although staff cannot do the actual research, they are always ready to direct one to a beneficial resource. Unfortunately, due to limited staff and time, it is not possible to conduct research for patrons. When you visit the Library & Archives facility, basic computer literacy is recommended, as many items can be found only via the Research Center’s website. Also, it is suggested patrons make a research appointment whenever possible.
Library Services
The Library is an open-stack, non-circulating library. Hence, all researchers and patrons are welcome to browse the books located in the Prescott Courier Reading Room, but they will not be able to check out books as they are for “in-center” research only. All the books are listed online via the Yavapai Library Network link and are cataloged using the Dewey Decimal classification system – just like Prescott Public Library. Some of the rarest books and limited editions are placed in the Rare Book Room, which also includes books from Sharlot M. Hall’s personal library. In order to access any materials in the Rare Book Room, one must contact Research Center staff in advance to set up an appointment by clicking here to contact us.
Library & Archives Research Center Public Hours
The Research Center is open to the public at different hours than the rest of the Museum. Public hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12 noon to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. We are closed on all State of Arizona holidays.
Newspapers, Magazines & Journals
The Library carries several magazines, journals and local newspapers. We have many newspapers on microfilm or microfiche – the earliest newspaper is the Journal Miner edition dated March 1864. Please click on the Newspaper, Magazines & Journals link to see a full listing. Also, our Prescott True Value Audio/Visual Center provides four functioning microfilm/fiche machines with print capability.
Reference Materials
The Library provides several reference resources to our patrons and researchers from genealogical sources to historic district materials. We devote special sections in our reference area for Genealogical Resources, that include hard-copy obituary newspaper notices, funeral home records, cemetery information and some birth/death/marriage records information. Also included are sections dedicated to Arizona Territory and Yavapai County census data, a Mining Resource section, Sharlot M. Hall Writings group, City of Prescott and surrounding communities Historical District materials, Arizona Railroad section and Rough Riders and Military section.
Downwinder Program Information
Staff and volunteers are familiar with the Downwinder program and the checklists to assist Downwinders in obtaining information in order to file a claim. In fact, the Library reference area devotes an entire section to Downwinder resources for Prescott, its surrounding communities and Yavapai County. Please click here for Downwinder data.
Archival Services
We have several manuscript/paper and photographic collections in the holdings. Some collections provide researchers with excellent primary resources or first-hand experiences. The collections contain anything from personal and business correspondence by local Prescottonians to Arizona Territorial historical documents, from philatelic covers to personal diaries, from mining data to Rose Garden biographical sketches, from family photographs and albums to entire collections devoted to Frontier Days parades, rodeos, railroads, Prescott businesses or ranching life in Yavapai County.
The Archives provide resources regarding local and surrounding communities’ business directories, yearbooks, phone books, videos, DVDs, mining data and history, railroad history and a wide range of maps covering all parts of Prescott, the Quad-City area, Yavapai County and Arizona. Also, access to hundreds of oral histories is provided — excellent primary resources that offer first-hand accounts of early Prescott and Yavapai County history. In addition, there is a variety of vertical files — quick reference files to get one started on any local or Yavapai County research topic.
Email & Telephone Research Requests
Another service provided is research request by email or telephone. However, please note: up to two (2) to three (3) weeks may be necessary to respond to questions submitted in this manner. This is due to a small staff and busy reference area. Also, all research requests received will be allotted a maximum research time of one-half hour. As such, extensive or multiple questions, including, but not limited to, genealogical (family history) requests cannot generally be answered in the time allotted. So, patrons and researchers are asked to plan on coming to the Research Center during our open hours to conduct such research themselves.
Reproduction Orders
Our Research Center provides patrons and researchers reproductions on all of the right-to-reproduce images and sound recordings. One is welcome to order reproductions in print or CD format for all photographs and maps. Also, staff is able to make copies for all oral histories and other presentation recordings on cassette tapes (while supplies last) and CDs. However, we do charge reproduction costs for all items ordered, and additional Permission-to-Use fees may be applied for patrons and researchers who are planning to publish Research Center materials in a commercial format.