Our Archives preserve and share the rich history of the region formerly known as Richmond County. We collect and care for original materials with demonstrated ties to the local area—including personal papers, photographs, maps, sound recordings, newspapers, and digital files.

Our archival holdings are searchable online through the Eastern Townships Archives Portal (ETAP), which brings together records from historical societies across the Eastern Townships.

Most but not all of our holdings is currently available online. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help.

Didn’t find what you were looking for?
We invite you to submit a detailed request using our Archival Information Request Form. This helps our volunteers and archival technician better understand your needs and respond more efficiently. The more context you provide, the better we can assist you!

The Richmond County Historical Society (RCHS) Archives exist to enrich both the local and wider community by researching, conserving, and sharing the history of our area. 

Our mission encompasses:

Collecting and Preserving: We prioritize the storage, protection, and conservation of archival materials relevant to the history of our region. All materials are evaluated for their historical significance and condition to ensure appropriate preservation.

Public Access and Education: We facilitate public access to our collections, offering educational programming to foster a deeper appreciation of local history. We strive to make our materials accessible while balancing this with preservation needs.

Ownership and Deaccessioning: Materials acquired by the RCHS Archives become the permanent property of the RCHS. If materials are deemed no longer relevant to our mission or are beyond our capacity to care for, they may be deaccessioned by the Executive Committee, with advice from the Archivist. Records of deaccessioning are meticulously maintained for transparency and historical integrity.

Reproduction and Usage: The RCHS retains the right to reproduce materials for conservation, exhibition, or research purposes using various methods. Reproduction of published materials is subject to copyright laws. The RCHS also provides authorization for copies of materials to researchers, authors, and other individuals upon request, subject to our usage policies and any applicable copyright restrictions.

Acceptance of Historical Material: We accept historical materials of any relevant medium. Acceptance is based on the relevance of the material to our mission, as well as our capacity to preserve and care for the item. Factors such as the condition of the material, including potential issues like mold or safety hazards, are assessed to ensure that we can properly manage and protect the collection.

By adhering to these principles, we strive to ensure the accessibility, preservation, and responsible use of our archival collections for present and future generations.

This service is available during the museum season (mid-June to late August) during our opening hours. Outside of this period, in-person research visits are possible by appointment with limited availability. 

• External Researchers: 
  • $5 per hour 
  • $10 for a half-day (up to 4 hours) 
  • $15 for a full day (up to 8 hours) 
•  Members: 
• The first hour of in-person research is free per calendar year 

Research Services Completed by the RCHS:

• External Researchers:
  • $30 per hour
  • Research requests requiring less than 15 minutes are provided at no charge 
•  Members: 
  • The first hour of research is free per calendar year

Digitization Services

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page (minimum fee of $5) 

• Scans (Photographs): $10 per image 

• Scans (Documents): $5 per document (additional fees of $0.25 per page will apply beyond the first 10 pages)