The Lower Merion Historical Society offers several public services from research to events. We’re happy to answer questions and research requests, as time and resources permit. Please be as specific as possible when requesting information.
Photo of Library
Our Services
The staff, volunteers, and board members at The Lower Merion Historical Society welcome your questions and requests for information about the history of Lower Merion and Narberth!
We can help you find answers in many ways:
- Our extensive website has a wealth of information.
- We invite you to visit our collections on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m., or you can request to visit us by appointment at info@lowermerionhistory.org. During your visit, we are happy to offer on-site services including research assistance, guidance on handling of documents and objects, and use of our digital scanner and photocopier. More information about what to expect during your visit can be found here.
- We also provide remote research services, as time and resources permit. Research services include anything that involves staff help answering public questions we receive during in person visits or via email. This can range from directing people on how to do primary research in our collection, through external resources, or recommending other institutions that can provide answers. It can also include staff doing that research on your behalf and compiling summaries of research results and/or scans of primary materials. Please email your question or request for information to research@lowermerionhistory.org and be as specific as possible.
Please review our Reading Room Guidelines and Object Handling Guidelines for Researchers before your visit.
Presentation and Program Services
We also offer a variety of presentations and programs. Contact us at info@lowermerionhistory.org to let us know your area of interest and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs. Presentation and program fees vary by event.
Upcoming events are listed on our Events page <link to page>.
Sign up for Milestones newsletter to stay informed about our events <link to page>.
Peer Organizations
The Lower Merion Historical Society is one of many organizations dedicated to the history of our region. Visit the LMHS blog story, “History in Our Backyard <TBA link>,” to read more about the wealth of information in our area.
FAQs
Where is the Lower Merion Historical Society located?
The Society is located on the second floor of the Lower Merion Academy Building, a beautifully restored 1812 building and the oldest existing school building in Montgomery County. The physical address is 506 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
What collections and resources are available to the public at LMHS?
Our outstanding collection of local and regional history includes:
- Reading Room—Our library of general reference materials, including a reading room with internet access.
- Archive Room—A conservation environment housing our primary source materials, maps, books, papers, photographs, and textiles.
- File Room—Collections of pamphlets, brochures, papers, newspapers, and reprints.
How do I get in touch with you?
For general inquiries and appointments, email us at info@LowerMerionHistory.org.
For research requests (including photograph requests), email us at research@LowerMerionHistory.org.
How can I visit your collections? Is the Lower Merion Historical Society open to the public?
Our library is open to the public every Wednesday, except holidays, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for drop-in visits. We also offer visits by appointment, depending on our availability. To schedule an appointment, email requests to info@lowermerionhistory.org.
If you have specific needs for your visit, please email us advance notice so we can prepare.
More information about what to expect during your visit can be found here, and more information about our collections is available here.
Can you help answer my questions about the history of Lower Merion and Narberth?
Yes! We can help you find answers in many ways: you can review our collections and resources here, you can visit our collection (see below), and/or you can send us a research request to research@lowermerionhistory.org. If your research needs exceed what we can provide, we may be able to connect you with a professional to research on your behalf. In that case, all fees and terms would be negotiated between you and them.
How do I find out more about my ancestors who lived in Lower Merion or Narberth?
We are happy to direct you to resources that may include your family members. Our collection of yearbooks, atlases, and real estate ads are the most frequently used resources for tracing genealogy. For birth and death certificates, municipal employee records, and other government documents we suggest reaching out to the appropriate township, borough, or county directly.
Do you have a photo of my house or family members?
The Society has a robust collection of photographs, including images of homes, community events, and local landmarks. We are currently able to search by location or subject, but many of our photographs of individuals are not yet identified. We encourage you to visit during our open hours to browse, but if a visit is not possible we are happy to scan and send images via email.
How can I find out more about my home or other property?
Lower Merion and its built resources are rich with intriguing history waiting to be uncovered.
This Brief from the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) <link to https://lowermerionhistory.org/home/how-to-research-a-property/ transfers over as is> serves as a guide through the basic steps to researching the history of a building, its construction date, and past owners.
How can I request permission to use material copyrighted by Lower Merion Historical Society?
Reach out to us at info@lowermerionhistory.org with the specifics of your request. We welcome “fair use” of our materials for purposes of research, scholarship, or teaching, with attribution to the Society. In cases where we may not own the copyright, or the materials may not be in the public domain, you will need to secure permission from the copyright owner and pay any required fees. The Society, at its discretion, may charge additional fees for commercial use of images in its collection. The user of any supplied reproductions assumes all responsibility to comply with existing copyright laws, and may be required to supply The Society with a copy of any publication or project in which the images appear. The Society reserves the right to decline to scan or photograph any item in its collections, or any research request. Shipping & Handling costs per quote. We must include 6% Pennsylvania sales tax on all sales and services.
What if I can’t do the research myself? Can I hire someone to do research on my behalf?
If doing the research yourself is impractical or overwhelming, and LMHS staff is unable to provide research services due to time and capacity limitations, we may be able to connect you with a professional to research on your behalf. In that case, all fees and terms would be negotiated between you and them.