Tips on Using the Maplewood Memorial Library Digital Archive

If you are interested in the history of your SOMa NJ home and community, Maplewood Memorial Library has many ways in which to aid historical research.

The Thomson Archive Scrapbook. Otherwise known as "Maplewood in Pictures".
The Thomson Archive Scrapbook. Otherwise known as “Maplewood in Pictures”.

Through generous grants made possible by the Maplewood Open Space Trust Fund for Historic Preservation, and a project grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, the Maplewood Memorial Library Digital Archive has several five information-rich archives from which to research:

  1. Real Estate Sales Records and Photos of Maplewood NJ Homes from the 1920s to the 1980s.
  2. News-Record of Maplewood and South Orange from 1915 to Present
  3. City Directories from 1888 to 1970
  4. Columbia High School Yearbooks from 1915 to Present

RESEARCH NOTE No.1

While you can use the search function remotely to search the News-Record and Yearbook, you’ll need to go to the Library to get your hands on the results.

RESEARCH NOTE No.2

Real Estate Sales Records and Photos of Maplewood NJ Homes are completely viewable and downloadable remotely – no need to go to the library in person.

Maplewood Memorial Library Digital Archive SOMa NJ
12 Hoffman Street in Maplewood as found on the Maplewood Memorial Library Digital Archive

RESEARCH NOTE No.3

The Thompson Archives are a pictorial history of Maplewood NJ in two volumes. These photos were compiled by George Knox Thompson until his death in 1946. His Daughter, Gladys Thompson, completed her father’s work and donated both volumes to the Maplewood Memorial Library.  Interestingly enough, George and Gladys lived in our home at No. 139 Maplewood Avenue!

The archives are not digitized, but are available for review – one volume is available at the main branch and the other at the Hilton Branch.

FOUNDER & LEAD CONTENT STRATEGIST This blog is a creative outlet for the love of home design and art, doable DIY, indulging in good eats, and throwing a good party. While I write many of our articles, I’m not the only voice. Interior designers, architects, tradespersons, makers, and good friends with special talents share what they know. I live in a gorgeous 1895 Victorian, No.139, with my husband Gary McDaniel, our three kids, a cranky old cat, and a golden retriver. While only four other families have called this place home, some of them made really bad choices that altered it’s classic design. And there was a cheap flipper in the mix too. Now, we’re cleaning up their messes. My day (and weekend) job as a REALTOR®-Salesperson for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Maplewood, NJ, gives me a unique opportunity to peek inside homes. Whether a it’s a sparkling or still-in-the-rough kind of diamond – all are dream worthy. In 2018, Lisa Danbrot and I co-founded the annual trade show, Resource Home Show.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *