Welcome! The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to collect, preserve, present, promote, and interpret the rich and diverse history of the County area, in its regional context, from its prehistoric origins to the present. The Society currently preserves over 250,000 documents and some 500 artifacts. The Society uses its facilities, library, archives, digital data bases, artifacts, systematic historical research, and creative educational opportunities to ensure that the County’s past are accessible to the public, local and worldwide, today and in the future. The Society was incorporated in 1885 and welcomes all interested persons to enjoy its many activities, services, and facilities. The Society motto is: "Preserving Our Past for Your Future." We proudly report that the Society recently received the “Award for Excellence.” Thus, it joins a small group of outstanding non-profit organizations in Maryland that have qualified for the award

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Headquarters, Photographed in April 2010 by El Penski

HEADQUARTERS
    For many years the Society moved among a series of temporary sites. In 1990, the Society Headquarters and Archives were located at 33 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, the Archives were to be found at Southampton Middle School, and the Court Records were situated in the "Old Aberdeen High School." Finally, in 1992, the they were moved into the "Old Bel Air Post Office." This lovely, neo-colonial facility is located at 143 North Main Street (at the corner of Main and Gordon Streets). It is the focal point for Society services and activities. Maps & Directions

ACTIVITIES; (Open to public)
     The Society holds regular dinner meetings, lectures, tours, open houses, classes, and other programs on the heritage of Harford County. Please call for reservations, 410-734-6894.

• Gift Shop at Headquarters, it is open during regular hours of the Society. Call Lena Caron to help at 410-838-7691.
• Hays House is open every Sunday, 1 - 4 PM, except from the holidays in December until it reopens in March after winter break, and others days by appointment. Call 410-838-7691. $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and seniors. Children under 4 years old & Historical Society of Harford County members are free. Special event admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and seniors. Maps & Directions For more information regarding any event please contact the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. at 410-838-7691, 410-838-1213, or concert@hayshouse.org
• Archives and Research Library Open, 10 AM - 2 PM, Fourth Saturday of every month January through October, for other times see below, Headquarters. $4.00 fee for nonmembers.
• The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. is celebrating our 125th year. Plans include the Annual Dinner to be a black tie optional event at the Maryland Golf and Country Clubs on September 23. Former U.S. Senator Joseph Tydings will be the guest speaker. Other county and state officials have been invited. A silent auction will be held, and other plans are pending. Please check this site frequently. Also, look for the next issue of the Newsletter which will contain a reservation form. Call (410) 838-7691 for details.
• The Annual George Archer Lecture and meeting will be held on October 1. More information will be coming. Call (410) 838-7691 for details.
• Doll House Show at Headquarters opening November 2 and running through December 12. Many museum quality houses will be on display. Hours will be during the Society’s regular daily hours of operation Tuesday through Thursday and weekends. Admission will be charged. All funds to benefit the Society. Call (410) 838-7691 for details.
• Native American Exhibit, Celebrate Native American Month with a display of Native American clothing, culture and beadwork, Exhibit by the Archaeological Society of the Northern Chesapeake, November 14, 2010, Hays House, 1 - 4 PM, Admission $5 adults, $3 seniors and students.
• Holiday Open House, December 5, 2010, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Donations appreciated, The museum is richly arrayed in natural decorations for the holidays, Music by the Catherine Street Consort.
• Candlelight Christmas Concert and Tea, Musica Antiqua performing with 18th and 19th century instruments and costumes followed by festive and elegant tea in the British tradition, Sunday, December 12, 2010, 4 PM, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 303 N. Main Street in Bel Air, $20 for Concert & Tea, Reservations required and payment in advance, $10 for concert only with tickets sold at door, For reservations 410-592-8693, 410-838-7691, or concert@hayshouse.org.

THE ARCHIVES;  (Open Wednesdays 8 AM - 2 PM and 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM - 2 PM except around holidays)
     A unique aspect of research materials is the tens of thousands of original source items dating back to the 1668. These include plats, letters, diaries, scrapbooks, ledgers, newspapers, and legal and business correspondence. Over 7000 photographic images complement the collection. If you need information on your historic home, a home of your ancestors, or a historic house you might buy, come to the Archives for help. All items are preserved in a professional manner and are carefully cataloged and cross-indexed. Skilled attendants are eager to assist researchers. Click for an Overview of Archives Collection. For sample documents click on  Old Licenses or Havre de Grace Harbor, 1837. $4.00 fee for non-members.

COURT RECORDS;  (Open Tuesdays 10 - 12 AM & 1 - 2:30 PM, except around holidays).
     The Society holds many of the early records of Harford County courts. Records begin about 1774 when Harford County came into existence. Cataloging has proceeded up to about the mid 19th century. The materials are being cataloged and indexed by volunteers for use by researchers. $4.00 fee for non-members.

EXHIBITS; (Open anytime the Library, Archives, Family History, or Court Records are open)
     The headquarters building contains a series of exhibits reflective of both county history and the Society's varied collections. Most exhibits change on a regular basis. Native American rock carvings are one of the permanent exhibits.

FAMILY HISTORY (GENEALOGY);  (Same hours as the Library)
     The Society is an excellent resource center for family history in Harford County, Maryland and adjacent areas. For details click here: Indices, Files, Family Histories, and Reference Books. If you are a researcher unable to visit our library click on History, Genealogical, & Cemetery Research Services . $4.00 fee for non-members.

THE HAYS HOUSE MUSEUM;  (Sundays 1 to 4 PM except winter break from the December holidays until early March)
     The Hays House Museum is located at 324 Kenmore Avenue, near the Bel Air High School, in Bel Air, Maryland. The Hays House was built in 1788 and is the oldest house in Bel Air. The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc., operates the historic house as a museum whose mission is to be a history-in-action museum and a valuable educational resource that illustrates and re-creates to the extent possible the social, cultural, economic, and practical aspects of the daily life of rural gentry primarily during the historical period 1788-1820. Hays House is open every Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, except for winter break (see above), and others days by appointment. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and seniors. Children under 4 years old and Historical Society of Harford County members are free. Special event admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and seniors. Maps & Directions   For more information regarding any event please contact the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. at 410-838-7691, 410-838-1213, or concert@hayshouse.org Click here to go to Hays House Web Site
All Hays House Museum Special Events are sponsored by the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc., and are made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland Council for the Arts through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board and Harford County Government.

RESEARCH LIBRARY;  (Open Thursdays 9 AM - 3 PM and 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM - 2 PM except around holidays)
     The Society possesses an extensive collection of print material on Harford County and Maryland history. All materials are cataloged, many are indexed, and attendants are happy to help researchers. Maps, microfilm, newspapers, vertical file materials, and African-American history files are also part of the collection. A team of volunteers is creating PastPerfect digital data bases. A list of some of the the more valuable books available can seen at "Book List". If you are interested in research, but unable to visit our library, click on History, Genealogical, & Cemetery Research Services. $4.00 fee for non-members.

MEMBERSHIP
     The Historical Society of Harford County welcomes individuals, families, and organizations of all backgrounds, ages, and degrees of interest and involvement. The only requisite for membership is a genuine commitment to the county and its people, and the payment of annual dues (a portion of which is tax deductible). The Society encourages all members to become as active as they can. The Society is run mostly by volunteers. Members get the Bulletin, meeting notices, use of the all Society research collections, admission to the Hays House Museum, Headquarters museum, discounts at Society shops, advanced invitations to all Society dinners, programs, and activities, and the Newsletter free. Membership Application

PUBLICATIONS
     The Harford Historical Bulletin, the Society's illustrated journal, is published a few times a year and mailed free to all members. The Newsletter is mailed free to members six times a year, and it containes committee reports, future activities, items of interest and pictures. Special publications, Bulletin's, and books are sold at the Society Headquarters or by mail:  Books for Sale.     Back issues of Bulletins are sold throught the mail and at the Society Headquarters. Buy Bulletins by mail!      Index to All Bulletins