The West End Museum Archive holds collections of material culture related to the West End and Boston. The contents of our archives span over 200 years of history, and include written and oral histories of West Enders; genealogical collections of West End families; material related to West End and Boston institutions; The West Ender newsletter collection; and a substantial holding related to the West End urban renewal project. The Museum uses a collections management system named PastPerfect to organize and describe its collections, and to inform the public of the types of material in our archive. You may access our PastPerfect site below to view the descriptions of our 35 collections and to enjoy over 600 images of the West End from our iconic Edgell, Herbert Gans, and Charles Frani photographic collections.
The West End Museum Archives
Contributing to the Archives
Donate
Donating an object or collection to the Archives preserves these objects for future generations of Museum-goers, researchers, and others. Donating is simple, and can be done by contacting archives@thewestendmuseum.org. Like all gifts to the WEM, archival donations are tax-deductible.
Common donations include documents, photographs, books and recordings; however, people are sometimes surprised to know that furniture, clothing, receipts, and many other items can be of significant value to the Museum collection. We’re happy to discuss items on an individual basis.
West End Stories
Even if you don’t have any material items from the West End, you can still help us grow our collections by sharing your story in writing, or through a recorded interview as part of the Museum’s West End Stories program.
We are always looking for people who can contribute their experiences of the West End, both pre- and post-urban renewal.
Accessing The West End Museum Archives
We are in the process of making more of The Museum Archives valuable materials accessible to the public. Links to some of our digitized material can be found below. We welcome any educational use of archival material that is not in conflict with the Museum’s mission. Inquiries about materials and resources in the archives can be made to: archives@thewestendmuseum.org.
Please click below to view descriptions of our archival collections and a selection of our iconic photographs of the West End
Please click below to gain access to our digitized issues of The West Ender Newsletter
Please click below to visit our YouTube site to view some of our digitized video material.