Archival collections are unique series of historic documents, be they photographs, handwritten letters, diaries, business records, or other material created or curated by a family, an individual, a corporation, or other body. They provide insight and information about the collection’s creator, and are kept for their enduring value. The Bridgeport History Center’s archival collections represent the lives of key individuals in the city of Bridgeport such as P.T. Barnum and Mayor Jasper McLevy, ordinary citizens, major companies like the Locomobile Company of America and Warner Brothers Corsets, and institutions such as churches and community organizations. We presently organize by manuscript collections, unprocessed archival materials, and organizational reports and catalogs.
Manuscript collections
Manuscript collections indicate that the archival collection has been prepared for access in accordance with contemporary archival standards (what is commonly known as processing or arrangement.) Please click on the link to view the competed finding aids (listings of contents along with biographical and other information) for the collections.
- MSS 0001 The P.T. Barnum Research Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0002 Jasper McLevy Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0003 Records of the Locomobile Company of America [PDF]
- MSS 0004 Andrew L. Riker and Riker Family Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0005 Records of the Locomobile Company of Blueprints [PDF]
- MSS 0006 Records of the Bridgeport Scientific Society [PDF]
- MSS 0007 Papers of Irving Moy [PDF]
- MSS 0008 Papers of James McCaddon [PDF]
- MSS 0009 Skutel Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0010 Gordy Collection of Circus Photographs [PDF]
- MSS 0011 Schneider Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0012 Raymond Fletcher Collection of Ringling brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus Programs [PDF]
- MSS 0013 Circus Photographs taken by William Day [PDF]
- MSS 0014 Records of Court Roma No. 13 (Bridgeport) Foresters of America [PDF]
- MSS 0015 Norwood Collection of Circus Photographs [PDF]
- MSS 0016 Papers of the Mallet, Shelton, and Fairchild Families [PDF]
- MSS 0017 Records of the Barnum Museum During the Tenure of Elizabeth Seeley [PDF]
- MSS 0018 Papers of Elsie Beth Clark [PDF]
- MSS 0019 Records of the First United Church of Christ Bridgeport [PDF]
- MSS 0020 Papers of Sam Burger of Columbia Records [PDF]
- MSS 0021 Records of Warner Corset Company [PDF] (NOTE: A portion of this collection may be unavailable due to processing)
- MSS 0022 Papers of Captain Frederick Doten [PDF]
- MSS 0023 Microfilmed Circus Route Books Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0024 Circus Route Books Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0025 Papers of Private Willis McDonald [PDF]
- MSS 0026 Papers of the Read Family [PDF]
- MSS 0027 Papers of John and Maggie Lathrop [PDF]
- MSS 0028 Papers of A.L. Barber and S.T. Davis Jr. [PDF]
- MSS 0029 Jake Goldring Collection [PDF]
- MSS 0030 Records of Anne Brignolo Studio [in progress]
- MSS 0031 Records of the Rotary Club of Bridgeport [in progress]
- MSS 0032 Papers of Rev. Samuel Orcutt [PDF]
- MSS 0033 Papers of the Stratton Family [PDF]
- MSS 0034 Circus Collection [in progress]
- MSS 0035 Papers of William Warren [in progress]
- MSS 0036 Papers of Captain Edward E. Marsh [in progress]
- MSS 0037 Papers of William, Samuel, and Hiram Davis [in progress]
- MSS 0038 Records of Elias Howe Jr. Post #3 Grand Army of the Republic [in progress]
- MSS 0039 Papers of A. Beers [in progress]
Unprocessed Archival Materials
The BHC holds a number of archival collections that are awaiting processing. Until processing is complete, we can provide brief collection overviews to help patrons determine if they would like to view the material. A list of these collections is forthcoming. Researchers with specific subject interests should consult the archivist for availability of relevant material.
Organizational Reports and Catalogs
The Organizational Reports and Catalogs (ORC) collection represents a cross section of various businesses, industries, charities, and other organizational bodies of Bridgeport. This collection is undergoing processing and there will be a listing of available material soon.