The Max R. Traurig Library is a 1500 volume library that includes extensive Waterbury history archives, publications, photographs, ephemera, maps, and city directories. It is the local repository of records and ledgers of many of the city’s past businesses, institutions and organizations. Collections include materials related to Waterbury industry in general, its brass industry, clock manufacturing and button business.
The Library welcomes researchers by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled two weeks in advance.
The Library offers research service by mail, online form and fax for those unable to visit the library. There is a $25.00 charge for this service (extensive searches may require additional fees). Research queries are answered in the order in which they are received, regardless of format. Those e-mailing, faxing, or writing letters must describe their query as thoroughly as possible. While we make every effort to respond quickly to queries, results may not be available for four to six weeks.
Due to time and staff limitations telephone research service is not available.
Please submit an online request for research service. Please describe your query as thoroughly as possible.
To request service by mail send queries to:
Curatorial Department
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
Other Resources
- The Silas Bronson Library: Collections of local history and genealogy
Contact the Reference Librarian: 203-754-8225 - Waterbury City Hall: Land records
Town Clerk’s Office: 203-574-6806 - The Republican-American: Newspaper, photograph and print archives
Contact the Librarian: 203-774-3636 x 1497 - Marriage, Birth, Death records: Holdings back to 1886
Office of Vital Statistics: 203-574-6800
Articles
A History of Waterbury’s Sign Post by Donald Dostie, Philip Benevento History Intern & Michael C. Dooling, Museum Archivist, 2017
Part IV: Our Boys – Letters Home by Michael DeGirolamo Jr., Republican-American, April 19, 2017