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SUBJECT: Duluth Public Library and Duluth Preservation Alliance to Co-Host Presentation on Local Historical Buildings and Homes
BY: Elizabeth Spehar
Contacts: Stephanie Myers, Duluth Public Library, Adult Library Services
Elizabeth Spehar, Duluth Public Library, Public Relations
Duluth Public Library and Duluth Preservation Alliance to Co-Host Presentation on Local Historical Buildings and Homes
Duluth has many fascinating old homes and buildings. If you have been wanting to learn more about the history of a local building—including your own home—but have been unsure of how to begin the research process, an upcoming presentation at the Duluth Public Library may be the start of an exciting adventure through history!
On Thursday, November 16 at the Main Library, members of Duluth Preservation Alliance will share helpful resources, stories, and insights gleaned from their hands-on work with building research and preservation. This is an opportunity to meet other locals who are curious about the topic and to learn from community members who are actively engaged in this challenging and rewarding work.
After the presentation, library staff will give a tour of the Local History Center and the many free library resources available to community members interested in local historical research. To support research on local buildings, the library’s collection includes plot maps, fire maps, historical maps, and a large body of black and white photos of buildings and homes.
In addition to materials specific to researching buildings, the library offers an array of primary documents that support research interests of all subjects. The collection includes over one hundred years of local newspapers on microfilm, bibliography files of notable locals throughout history, news clippings files, a local business index, local yearbooks, and subscriptions to genealogy tools, Ancestry and My Heritage. Adult Services Supervisor Steph Myers notes that while the library’s resources for historical research run deep, “…the best resource available to the public is our dedicated team of librarians who are here to assist users in finding what they need.” To prepare for a successful research trip to the Duluth Public Library, librarian Rachel Clift says it is helpful to have some keywords ready ahead of time. “Before you come in, it’s a good idea to have the name of a person, a place, or an historical event to get started—and a passion to dive in to the research!”
The Local History Center and support staff are available during open hours at the Main Library. All library programs and resources are free and open to the public.
Building and Saving History: Duluth’s Old Homes and Buildings
Thursday, November 16
6:00-7:30 pm
Main Library (520 W. Superior St.) Gold Room and Local History Center
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