New Jersey Room

Preserving Local History

The New Jersey Room is the local history department of the library, located on the third floor of the Priscilla Gardner Main Library Branch. It contains an extensive collection of books, images, maps, research files and more documenting the history of Jersey City and Hudson County, as well as the state and region.

Connecting Generations

Formed as a department in 1964 to incorporate the collections of the Hudson County Historical Society and the research collection of William H. Richardson into the existing historical materials collected by the library, the New Jersey Room has served generations of genealogists, students of all levels, historians, creative writers, and casual researchers alike.

Whether it be the history of a family, a building, street, or neighborhood, social issues, or the perpetual cycles of redevelopment, the New Jersey Room collection and its dedicated staff are here as a resource to all who have an interest in Jersey City and Hudson County.

Schedule

The New Jersey Room, located within the Priscilla Gardner Main Library, is accessible during the following hours:

• Monday and Wednesday: 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM
• Tuesday and Thursday: 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Essential Research Techniques

Access our May 2022 YouTube presentation for tips on using online resources for local history research including Fire Insurance Maps, digitized city directories, census records, and deed searches.

Donate Your Historical Items

The New Jersey Room accepts donations of New Jersey historical items, particularly relating to Jersey City and Hudson County, including books, manuscripts, maps, photos, and school yearbooks. For donations or more information, please contact us using the information below.

Librarian:
John Beekman
Email Me

Contact

Email: NJRoom@JCLibrary.org

Phone: 201-547-4503

Click the resource guide for more information