Research & Archives
Access historical records, photographs, and research services at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum.
Research Requests
If you plan to conduct research or view items in our collections, please schedule your visit in advance. Our Curator requires time to pull objects and prepare research materials, and we typically ask for at least one week’s notice. This ensures staff availability and a suitable workspace for your visit.
You may contact the Curator using our Contact Us page and selecting “Research Request,” or by calling 307-872-6435.
We offer assistance with family and local history research, including access to books, photographs, oral histories, census records, local directories, and more. Contact us before visiting so staff can locate materials relevant to your research.
We also offer free vintage firearm research. Staff will research your firearm and provide any available historical details. If you would like to use this service, please call the museum at 307-872-6435.
Research Library
The museum maintains a research library that is open during regular business hours. Available resources include books (including many rare and out-of-print titles), subject files, obituary indexes, oral history transcripts, microfilm newspapers, census records, and additional reference materials.
All research library materials must be used on-site; items cannot be checked out or removed from the museum.
Archives Access
The museum houses extensive archival collections of photographs, documents, records, ledgers, and printed publications. As the primary repository for Sweetwater County’s historical materials, these archives support authors, genealogists, researchers, students, and historians.
Archival photographs and documents are available by appointment only. These collections require staff supervision and special handling. Please contact the Curator to schedule an appointment or with any questions.
There are fees associated with digital or printed reproductions of materials in our collections. Please see our Reproduction Fee Schedule for pricing.
Online Collection Database
We are in the process of making portions of our collections database available online. As the conversion progresses, more records will become accessible to the public.
If you would like to volunteer to assist with this project, please contact us.
Online Finding Aids
The museum provides indexes to several archival collections. These tools allow researchers to review available materials before submitting a research request. Please note that these indexes do not represent all holdings.
Photos and Negatives
Adrian Reynolds Negatives Index
Audio and Moving Image Collections
Moving Image & Audio Multimedia Finding Aid
Other Archival Collections
Articles of Incorporation Index
Sweetwater County Marriage Index (originals available from the Sweetwater County Clerk’s office)