Microforms

The MHS holds more than 700 microfilm sets, including material from more than 400 of our own manuscript collections; editions of manuscript collections owned by other libraries that complement our collections; and early newspapers. Many of our microfilm collections are available for purchase and/or can be delivered via interlibrary loan.

Collections Available For Purchase

The commercial vendor ProQuest sells copies of 65 microfilm editions of MHS collections. You can view a list of all available MHS collections on the ProQuest website (use search bar and enter Massachusetts Historical Society collections). To order copies, contact ProQuest directly at 800-521-0600 or via its webform (click Contact Us button at top-right). Materials from MHS collections sold by ProQuest may be purchased by individual reel.

To inquire about ordering MHS microfilms not sold by ProQuest, contact the library at 617-646-0532 or via email.

Collections Available for Interlibrary Loan

The MHS holds duplicate positive copies of more than 100 collections filmed by the Society.

The MHS will lend entire small film sets or portions of large film sets for 30-day periods when these are available. To make an interlibrary loan request or to check for collection availability, please contact our Curator of Rare Books & Visual Materials at 617-646-0504 or via email.

Requesting Reproductions

Researchers may also request low-resolution (reference reproduction) PDF scans from collections held in microform. For more information about this service, including cost and instructions for placing a request, see Reference Reproductions.