Local History
Henry Meade Williams Local History Department
Park Branch Library, Mission Street and Sixth Avenue
The Local History Department is the archives for Carmel-by-the-Sea, and is devoted to acquiring, preserving, and making available historically significant items concerning the history of Carmel. These collections include: photographs, books, letters, diaries, programs, manuscripts, maps, scrapbooks, and works of art.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-6pm
For research help, please call 831-624-1615 or email hml.localhist@gmail.com.
Archives
Feature Resource
Internet Archive: Historic newspapers, photographs, scrapbooks and lectures, available online without a library card
Art Collection
The City’s art collection began with the bequest of Mrs. Ella Reid Harrison in 1923, including many works of art gathered on her travels throughout the world. Since the completion of the Ralph Chandler Harrison Memorial Library (named for Mrs. Harrison’s late husband) in 1928, artists and art lovers have been donating art to grace its walls.
Today, the art collection contains over 900 pieces by creative Carmelites and world renowned artists. Pieces from the collection are currently on display at the Harrison Library, Sunset Center, and City Hall.
Genealogy & Family History
Featured Resource
Ancestry Library Edition: US & international genealogy research (Only available in the library.)
Maps & Buildings
Featured Resource
City of Carmel Property Files: construction information, permits and plans for individual properties within city limits
- Carmel House & Building Research
- Carmel Preservation Foundation Collection
- (Full collection guide)
- Historic Houses - Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Artists and Artisans - Carmel Woods
- The Eighty Acres - Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Historic Inns - Carmel-by-the-Sea
- (Additional information)
- List of Deeds of Property
- 1920-Feb 1928
- Part I (Blocks A-73)
- Part II (Blocks 74-End)
- 1928-Jan 1934
- 1939-1940
- Read more
My Carmel Oral History
Newest Interview
Lisa Crawford Watson: Interview with author and journalist Lisa Crawford Watson. Lisa shares stories of her family’s history in California and Carmel, her visits to this area as a child, and her experiences writing about the wonderful people, places and dogs of the Monterey area over the last three decades.