Collections

All of the Laurel Historical Society’s collections are open to the public for research and discovery. Our goal is to collect information and artifacts that increase knowledge and understandings of Laurel’s past, and preserve and keep them accessible for generations to come.

NOTICE:
Beginning March 12, 2025, we'll be transition to new collection management software. Our current searchable database will be down until our new system is running. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please email [email protected] with any research requests.

For a guide to accessing all of our collections, click here.

Collections Highlights

Access Digitized Collections
This image is part of the Laurel Mills 1916 auction document photographed at the Maryland Historical Society. The documents were an exciting find, and while not part of the Laurel Historical Society Collection, illustrate an interesting piece of Laurel's history. Included was a detailed description of the Laurel Mill, its buildings and potential work population. Photocopies of these documents can be found at the Laurel Museum in the vertical files, accessible by appointment.
The History of Laurel Elementary School  - a short compilation is available to be browsed in our Research Library or as a web-friendly digital download here.

Research Our In-House Collection

Visit the John Calder Brennan Library’s extensive collection of records, photographs, books, files and items related to Laurel history.

These are catalogued and available to researchers by appointment. Materials available online to members such as the Laurel Leaders, Yearbooks and other digitized items are available for research at the library. 

Learn more about research policies and appointments here.
Certain items in the Laurel Historical Society Collection have been digitized and placed online for those interested in researching remotely.
The digitized collection continues to grow, but includes the following:
  • Sadler Collection:  1300 photos of Laurel life, businesses and people from approximately 1900-1910
  • Mill Documents giving testaments to Laurel's roots
  • Yearbooks from Laurel High School, Pallotti High School, Laurel Junior High School, and more

To gain access to these items for research purposes, please email [email protected]

Search Our Online Collections

Our collection is much greater than what you might see on display in any given year.

Our goal is to collect as much as we can to interpret Laurel's history and to make our collection as accessible as possible. With that in mind, you can now access the bulk of our collections records online.

Use this tool to explore what we have at the Museum that you may not have seen on exhibit! Click here to browse and search our online database.