Visit the Research Center

What you need to know to begin research and accessing the collection.
For questions about donating items please visit the
Object Donation – Frequently Asked Questions page.

Book a Research Appointment

Because of the nature of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History materials, certain registration procedures and regulations apply to keep our collection safe and available for future use.

Please note some protocols have been changed or added to reflect COVID-19 guidelines.

Important Notice: CMCH requires that visitors not visit CMCH if they have Covid symptoms. Visitors should follow requirements for air and other travel if visiting CMCH from out of state. There is no CT or CMCH testing or vaccination requirement. Please refer to the State of Connecticut’s travel advisory webpage for the latest information. 

Here are essential things you should expect when arriving at CMCH to do research:

Hours

The Edgar F. Waterman Research Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 12:00-4:30 pm, and Thursday: 12:00-7:30pm, by appointment only. The Waterman Research Center will be closed for cleaning at end of day, 4:30pm (7:30pm on Thursdays only).

Process and Registration

Booking requests must be made one week in advance

A completed online registration form is required to submit a research appointment request. Confirmed appointments are now required to access the Waterman Research Center. You can also contact staff by email to arrange details: sdixon@connecticutmuseum.org.  

You may be asked to provide a driver’s license or other form of photo identification during your initial research visit. You may be asked to update your registration information each year. 

• Staff will follow up with you to confirm details about your visit(s) and provide your library account login information – this allows you to request library items  

• You will receive confirmation of your appointments from staff. 

If we cannot properly staff the Waterman Research Center, please expect the possibility that your research appointment(s) will be cancelled.

Hygiene and Handling the Collection 

Connecticut Museum requires that visitors not visit the Museum if they have Covid or other cold symptoms.  There is currently no testing or vaccination requirements for the State of Connecticut or the Museum. Please refer to the State of Connecticut’s travel advisory webpage for the latest information.  

 

Because of the nature of materials at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, certain registration procedures and regulations apply to keep our collection safe and available for future use. 

 

• Due to the fragile nature of many materials, bound items – including manuscripts and books- may not be photocopied.  

• Bound items can be photographed without flash.  

• Nitrile gloves will be provided for handling select collections such as photographs, metals, and objects.  

• Items should be kept either flat on research tables or propped into supports as appropriate and guided by staff – see this link for guidelines for onsite access of collections.  

• Photocopies are currently provided exclusively by staff. Until further notice, there is no charge for photocopies or printouts. 

 

Additional restrictions may apply to collections. Please consult with staff with specific questions. 

What Can I Bring on Appointment Day?

• Pencils, laptop computers, digital cameras, and loose papers may be brought into the Waterman Research Center.  

• Manuscript users: personal papers will be set to the side, as they cannot remain on reserved area desks while using manuscripts.  

• A coat rack and free lockers are available for all other belongings (coats, purses, briefcases, tote bags, computer bags, folders, etc.)  

• Paper is available to researchers using manuscripts.  

Food and drink are not allowed in the Waterman Research Center. 

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History reserves the right to inspect all research materials and personal articles before visitors leave our building.

See Regulations-form

Photocopies and Printouts

Because of the fragile nature of many materials, books over 100 years old and bound manuscripts may not be photocopied, although they may be photographed. Additional restrictions may apply to some manuscript materials; please contact staff with specific questions.

Photocopies are currently provided exclusively by staff. Until further notice, there is no charge for photocopies or printouts.

Retrieving and Searching for Materials

Collections: https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/research/search-the-collection/ 

• See our currently cataloged collections under Search the Collection.  

 

• Collections must be requested  a minimum of two (2) days before your confirmed research visit.  

 

• Library items can be requested through the Museum’s online library catalog system .  

• Visual and object collections can be requested via email with staff – including website links and object numbers are strongly encouraged.  

 

• Staff cannot guarantee materials will be pulled on demand on the day of your visit. If you need assistance requesting materials in advance, please contact staff.  

Remote Research and Collections Access 

If you cannot visit the Waterman Research Center, we may still be able to help you: 

1.  To ask a research question, select from the prompts and fill in our  online form 
2.  See the current list of  Independent Researchers for Hire  for in-depth research assistance 
3.  View our currently digitized collections on eMuseum 
4.  Staff can review the Museum collections and get back to you – select from the prompts and fill in our online form 

Digital Images

Connecticut Museum objects, images, or other materials may not be published without written permission. More information is available in the Digital Reproductions section of this site. 

Forms

Handling Rare Materials (PDF)

Waterman Research Center Regulations (PDF)