Local History
The Local History Collection includes materials important to the history of the Town of Natick and surrounding areas. The Local History Collection is open to the public during regular library hours.Local history items can be found near the Reference Collection on the second floor of the library. Fragile and one-of-a-kind Local History items are kept in our Archives Room, a secure, climate-controlled storage space.
To inquire about local history information, please call 508-647-6521, or email reference@morseinstitute.org.
The Local History Collection includes:
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Town documents such as vital records, annual reports, resident lists, School Department information, committee reports, and business filings
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Atlases and maps
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Books
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Natick High School Sassamon Yearbooks
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Directories of local businesses
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Natick military history, and the Natick Veterans Oral History Collection
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Newspapers on microfilm and online historical newspaper databases
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Genealogical resources including online databases
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Clippings on Local History subjects
Duplicates of some archival materials may be available in the Local History collection or on microfilm.
The Archives Room contains single copies of scarce, fragile, and/or one-of-a-kind materials and is located in a secure, climate-controlled storage area. When required for research, materials are retrieved for patrons by appointment with our Local History staff.
Historic Natick Slide Show
The Photographs of Horace H. Potter
This slide show displays a collection of Natick photos from the mid 1800s to early 1900s, taken by Horace H. Potter and part of his personal lantern slide collection. The late John F. Sullivan provided the narration. You will also find a separate photo gallery to view other images from Potter's collection. This gallery continues to be added to.
The glass slide images were restored by Horace H. Potter's great grandson, Richard H. Potter, Jr. The web site was designed by Steven K. Potter.
Learn more and view the Natick Historic Slide Show.