Local History, Genealogy,
& Special Collections

In Appreciation

The Local History Department is supported by funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State;
the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs; the Plainfield Foundation;
the Plainfield Cultural & Heritage Commission; the New Jersey Council for the Humanities; and the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library (FOPPL).

COVID-19 ARCHIVE
ARCHIVO COVID-19

Share Your Experience With Us
Comparte tu experiencia con nosotros

artwork by Diego Licht

Do you live, work, or go to school in Plainfield? Contribute to the Library's COVID-19 Archive by helping us document life during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.

 

Collections
View Collections Index

Our historical collections include Plainfield history, fine art, genealogy, diversity studies, oral history, personal papers & manuscripts, records of local organizations, Jerseyana, and United States history, as well as the original Library collection from the 1800’s. There is also an additional set of books on subjects that support our collections such as photography, art, architecture, and historic preservation.

 

Be sure to check out the Genealogy page!

The Local History, Genealogy and Special Collections
are held in closed stacks. Collection items do not circulate and may only be viewed in the Plainfield Room

Publications
Some publications may take a few seconds to download.

*(Adobe PDF file - download Adobe for viewing)

Department Brochures* Archives and Preservation Black History in Plainfield Buried Treasures Diversity Studies Family History Research Historic Districts of Plainfield Local History Department Notable Women of Plainfield Volunteering in Local History Books* A Kid's History of Early Plainfield (Second Edition) Lost But Not Forgotten (soft cover)

Help Support Us

Your financial donation can provide:

$10 to $25	Archival Document Cases and Cartons (various sizes) Photograph Digitization
$30	Archival Photograph sleeves
$40	Archival Folders or Custom Boxes
$50	Archival Frame Kit or Book Purchase
$150	Archival Poster Frame Kit
$200	Purchase of an Historical Publication
$500	(towards) Historical document or ledger repair and conservation
$1,000 +	(towards) Historical map repair conservation

 

 

Our digital image collections are constantly growing, and are composed of over 55,000 photographs, postcards, and blueprints. All of these records are viewable online. In addition, patrons can now access Plainfield's historical city directories and the Plainfield's early newspapers online for free. Some of our special digital projects include: