Research Inquiries
The Lexington Historical Society maintains a research library and archives at the Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street, Lexington, Massachusetts. The collection focuses on all aspects of Lexington history from its settlement in the late 17th century through the present, with a special concentration on the American Revolution and the role played by the town in the opening days of that war.
Research Policies and Fees
General Rules: The Archives is open by appointment only and there is a $35 one-time use fee for non-member and commercial use. Please e-mail office@lexingtonhistory.org to make an appointment or to convey a research request. Please include research objectives, scope of project etc. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response. Visitors to the Archives must sign in and present a photo ID. No food or drink is permitted and pencil only may be used for making notes. A member of the Society staff must be present at all times.
To make an appointment or to inquire about our materials, please e-mail office@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781–862–1703. E-mail correspondence is preferred.
Information Requests: There is a $35.00 per hour fee (one-hour minimum) for research conducted by Society staff, up to a maximum of four hours. (Please note that it is not possible for staff to devote any longer than four hours to any request). Research fees apply whether or not any relevant information is found. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response. Email correspondence is preferred. We encourage those looking for general historical information to contact their local library first.
Payment can be made by sending a check payable to Lexington Historical Society, P.O. Box 514, Lexington, MA. Please clearly state your research objectives and include an e-mail address and telephone number where you can be reached.
Frequently Asked Questions: Please check this list first to see if your question can be answered there. Many questions about houses in Lexington can be answered by reference to the Lexington Cultural Resources Survey carried out in the 1970s and updated periodically. Copies of this nine-volume report are available at Cary Memorial Library as well as in our Archives.
Personal Use by Society Members: Members of the Lexington Historical Society are welcome to use the Archives for personal and scholarly use without charge. We will respond to requests for information by members for personal use made via telephone or e-mail without charge. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
Commercial Use by Society Members: Members sometimes have occasion to use the Archives for research for commercial projects, such as the preparation of books or for information used to resolve legal or land-use matters. In such cases, the $35 use fee is applied per visit or research request. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
Scholarly Use: The $35 fee for non-member use can be waived for scholars. Please contact us about the scope of your research and we will discuss a fee waiver with you.
Photocopying fees: We charge $0.50 per page for photocopying plus a $5.00 handling fee. If mailing costs are involved, we will charge you at cost for mailing.
Non-Commercial Reproduction of Photographs: We charge $1.00 for a digital reproduction of a photograph for personal or scholarly use, plus mailing costs.
Commercial Reproduction of Photographs: Rights and fees for commercial use of photographs are negotiated separately. Please contact us at office@lexingtonhistory.org. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
To make an appointment or to inquire about our materials, please e-mail office@lexingtonhistory.org or call 781–862–1703. E-mail correspondence is preferred.
Information Requests: There is a $35.00 per hour fee (one-hour minimum) for research conducted by Society staff, up to a maximum of four hours. (Please note that it is not possible for staff to devote any longer than four hours to any request). Research fees apply whether or not any relevant information is found. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response. Email correspondence is preferred. We encourage those looking for general historical information to contact their local library first.
Payment can be made by sending a check payable to Lexington Historical Society, P.O. Box 514, Lexington, MA. Please clearly state your research objectives and include an e-mail address and telephone number where you can be reached.
Frequently Asked Questions: Please check this list first to see if your question can be answered there. Many questions about houses in Lexington can be answered by reference to the Lexington Cultural Resources Survey carried out in the 1970s and updated periodically. Copies of this nine-volume report are available at Cary Memorial Library as well as in our Archives.
Personal Use by Society Members: Members of the Lexington Historical Society are welcome to use the Archives for personal and scholarly use without charge. We will respond to requests for information by members for personal use made via telephone or e-mail without charge. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
Commercial Use by Society Members: Members sometimes have occasion to use the Archives for research for commercial projects, such as the preparation of books or for information used to resolve legal or land-use matters. In such cases, the $35 use fee is applied per visit or research request. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
Scholarly Use: The $35 fee for non-member use can be waived for scholars. Please contact us about the scope of your research and we will discuss a fee waiver with you.
Photocopying fees: We charge $0.50 per page for photocopying plus a $5.00 handling fee. If mailing costs are involved, we will charge you at cost for mailing.
Non-Commercial Reproduction of Photographs: We charge $1.00 for a digital reproduction of a photograph for personal or scholarly use, plus mailing costs.
Commercial Reproduction of Photographs: Rights and fees for commercial use of photographs are negotiated separately. Please contact us at office@lexingtonhistory.org. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
Research Request Form
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Dear Researcher,
Thank you for your interest in the Lexington Historical Society and our collections. Because of the increasing costs and demands on our staff time, it has become necessary to institute a fee schedule for research conducted by museum staff. Please read the Research Policies and Fees above, and then go to the Printable Research Request Form and print, sign and return that page if you would like our staff to pursue your request. Sincerely, Archives Committee |
Permission to Publish Photographs
Commercial Reproducation of Photographs: Rights and fees for commercial use of photographs, including publication, are negotiated separately through the Lexington Historical Society office. Please contact us at info@lexingtonhistory.org. Please allow 2–3 weeks for a response.
