The Special Collections Room is located in the Reference Department on the third floor.
In 1877, Maria DeWolf Rogers founded the Rogers Free Library in dedication to the memory of her beloved husband. Almost 150 years since then, the library has collected and received generous donations that has allowed for immense growth in the Special Collections room. We believe that these artifacts can enrich and inform the community, and should be accessible to everyone. Whether you are interested in conducting research or just stopping by to see what the room holds, we look forward to your visit!
The room houses the following materials:
- Books, print materials, and photographs regarding Bristol and Rhode Island history.
- The local Bristol Phoenix newspaper on microfilm from the 1850s – June 30, 2015 and in print.
- Yearbooks from Colt Memorial High School, Andrews Memorial School, Bristol High School, and Mt. Hope High School (select years)
*We’ve recently received donations of the following years: 1984-1990, 1992.
**Please note these items have not been digitized - The Richard V. Simpson – Fourth of July Files Collection: donated by local historian and author Richard V. Simpson, the large collection contains materials relating to the history of Bristol and its historic 4th of July Celebration. In this collection, you can also find many works authored by or in collaboration with Simpson.
- Fiction titles by historic local authors.
- Extensive genealogy materials.
- Print materials regarding the history of the Rogers Free Library and its program.
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Images from the 1929 construction of the Mount Hope Bridge in Bristol and Portsmouth, RI (photos courtesy of the Richard V. Simpson Collection)
Images from the 2008 Expansion of the Rogers Free Library in Bristol, R.I.
