HSJ: Research: Research Library at History Park

History San José Research Library

Chamber of Commerce photo. Par Photo Service.

'The trestle on the Interurban Electric R.R. between Saratoga and Los Gatos'

Del Monte: 'Canning peaches in San Jose, the world center of dried fruit and canning industry.' Chamber of Commerce photo by Gabriel Moulim.

Chamber of Commerce postcard: 'Blossom Time in the World Famous Santa Clara Valley, which produces an average of 100,000,000 pounds of prunes annually.'

The History San José Research Library serves more than a thousand people a year conducting research on San Jose, Santa Clara County, and Silicon Valley. The Research Library is open to the public by appointment. To schedule an appointment please email research@historysanjose.org or call 408.521-5026.

What’s available?

The collection is comprised of donated records from private individuals, businesses and organizations. Highlights include City of San José and Santa Clara County Records, Lee DeForest Papers, City Directories, maps, and the Sempervirens Club Records. To make an appointment please email research@historysanjose.org or call 408.521-5026.

History San José has a large photographic collection. A small percentage are featured online as part of Silicon Valley History Online.

If you are interested in donating material directly related to San José and the Santa Clara Valley please email research@historysanjose.org or call 408.521-5026.

Who uses the Research Library?

Anyone interested in Santa Clara Valley history – high school and college students and professors, genealogists, archeologists, environmentalists, city planners, filmmakers and artists. Please email research@historysanjose.org or call 408.521-5026 to make an appointment.

How to use the Research Library

Our research guide explains methods unique to archival research.
Staff and volunteers are ready to help guide you in the research process upon your arrival. Finding Aids and Guides, like Historic Building and Site Resources and Biographical Research Resources, are being developed daily.
If you plan to visit the Research Library, please read the Research Library User Agreement to help preserve the collection.
You can submit a research request online with the Research Request Form. Please allow up to 30 days for us to respond to your research request.

Research Library staff responds to requests on a first-come first-served basis. Most requests can be done for free, however there is a fee for extensive research and reproduction. Discounts are available to students and teachers.