HEADQUARTERS
    For many years the Society moved among a series of temporary sites. In 1990, the Society Headquarters and Archives were located at 33 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, the Archives were to be found at Southampton Middle School, and the Court Records were situated in the "Old Aberdeen High School." Finally, in 1992, the they were moved into the "Old Bel Air Post Office." This lovely, neo-colonial facility is located at 143 North Main Street (at the corner of Main and Gordon Streets). It is the focal point for Society services and activities. Maps & Directions

ACTIVITIES; (Open to public) Summary of 2012 Schedule, PDF
     The Society holds regular dinner meetings, lectures, tours, open houses, classes, and other programs on the heritage of Harford County. Please call for reservations, 410-838-7691. Maps & Directions For more information regarding any event please contact the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. at 410-838-7691, 410-838-1213, or concert@hayshouse.org

Past Activities of the Historical Society of Harford County since October 2003

THE ARCHIVES;  (Open Wednesdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and the 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM to 2 PM except around holidays)
     A unique aspect of research materials is the more than 250,000 of original source items dating back to the 1600s. These include plats, deeds, letters, diaries, scrapbooks, ledgers, documents, maps, postcards, Booth playbills, newspapers, and legal and business correspondence. Over 7000 photographic images complement the collection. If you need information on your historic home, a home of your ancestors, or a historic house you might buy, come to the Archives for help. All items are preserved in a professional manner and are carefully cataloged and cross-indexed. Skilled attendants are eager to assist researchers. Click for an Overview of Archives Collection. For sample documents click on  Old Licenses or Havre de Grace Harbor, 1837. $4.00 fee for non-members.

COURT RECORDS;  (Open Tuesdays between 9 AM & 3 PM, except around holidays).
     The Society holds many of the early records of Harford County courts. Records begin about 1774 when Harford County came into existence. Cataloging has proceeded up to about the mid 19th century. The materials are being cataloged and indexed by volunteers for use by researchers. Volunteers hope to eventually have all of the records computerized to assist researchers in finding material for future projects. The records provide background on everything from criminal charges to land transactions, bastardy cases, indentures and emancipation of slaves and servants and more. $4.00 fee for non-members.

EXHIBITS; (Open anytime the Library, Archives, Family History, or Court Records are open)
     The headquarters building contains a series of exhibits reflective of both county history and the Society's varied collections. Most exhibits change on a regular basis. Native American rock carvings are one of the permanent exhibits.

FAMILY HISTORY (GENEALOGY);  (Same hours as the Library below)
     The Society is an excellent resource center for family history in Harford County, Maryland and adjacent areas that provides tours of the facility and assistance in locating family records. For details click here: Indices, Files, Family Histories, and Reference Books. If you are a researcher unable to visit our library click on History, Genealogical, & Cemetery Research Services . $4.00 fee for non-members.

THE HAYS HOUSE MUSEUM;  (2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, 1 to 4 PM except winter break from the mid December until early March)
     The Hays House Museum is located at 324 Kenmore Avenue, near the Bel Air High School, in Bel Air, Maryland. The Hays House was built in 1788 and is the oldest house in Bel Air. The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc., operates the historic house as a museum whose mission is to be a history-in-action museum and a valuable educational resource that illustrates and re-creates to the extent possible the social, cultural, economic, and practical aspects of the daily life of rural gentry primarily during the historical period 1788-1820. The Hays House is open March thru mid-December on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, 1 to 4 PM in 2013 and others days by appointment. Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and seniors. Children under 4 years old and Historical Society of Harford County members are free. Special event admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and seniors. Maps & Directions   For more information regarding any event please contact the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. at 410-838-7691, 410-838-1213, or concert@hayshouse.org Click here to go to Hays House Web Site

All Hays House Museum Special Events are sponsored by the Historical Society of Harford County, Inc., and are made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland Council for the Arts through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board and Harford County Government.

RESEARCH LIBRARY;  (Open Thursdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and the 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM to 2 PM except around holidays)
     The Society possesses an extensive collection of print material on Harford County and Maryland history. All materials are cataloged, many are indexed, and attendants are happy to help researchers. Maps, microfilm, newspapers, vertical file materials, and African-American history files are also part of the collection. A team of volunteers is creating PastPerfect digital data bases. A list of some of the more valuable books available can seen at "Book List". If you are interested in research, but unable to visit our library, click on History, Genealogical, & Cemetery Research Services. $4.00 fee for non-members.

MEMBERSHIP
     The Historical Society of Harford County welcomes individuals, families, and organizations of all backgrounds, ages, and degrees of interest and involvement. The only requisite for membership is a genuine commitment to the county and its people, and the payment of annual dues (a portion of which is tax deductible). The Society encourages all members to become as active as they can. The Society is run mostly by volunteers. Members get the occasional Bulletin, meeting notices, use of the all Society research collections, admission to the Hays House Museum, Headquarters museum, advanced invitations to Society dinners, programs, and activities, and the Newsletter free. See below.
For Membership Enrollment Form.

PUBLICATIONS


• The Harford Historical Bulletin, the Society's illustrated journal, is published a few times a year and mailed free to all members. Back issues of Bulletins are sold through the mail and at the Society Headquarters. Buy Bulletins by mail!      Index to All Bulletins
• The Newsletter is mailed free to members six times a year, and it contains committee reports, future activities, items of interest and pictures. A new Archives of Newsletters is being established.
• Special publications, Bulletin's, and books are sold at the Society Headquarters or by mail:  Books for Sale.
• The 2010 Annual Report is available here on the web, and the back issues of Annual Reports are also available on the About Us page.