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.
Check out our online collections!
Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-6pm
For research help, please call 831-624-1615 or email hml.localhist@gmail.com.
Archives
Feature Resource
California Revealed: Historic newspapers, photographs, scrapbooks and lectures, available online without a library card
Art Collection
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
David Gordon: Gordon is an American concert and opera tenor, particularly noted as a Bach singer. Born in Pennsylvania, he trained at McGill University, the College of Wooster, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago where he made his debut in 1973. He went on to appear as soloist with orchestras and operas worldwide. Gordon spent 30 years with the Carmel Bach Festival as a performer, lecturer, and master class instructor. He also wrote the book on the Festival’s history, “Carmel Impresarios: a cultural biography of Dene Denny & Hazel Watrous.”