Welcome! The Historical Society of Harford County, Inc. is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to collect, preserve, present, promote, and interpret the rich and diverse history of the County area, in its regional context, from its prehistoric origins to the present. The Society currently preserves over 250,000 documents and some 500 artifacts. The Society uses its facilities, library, archives, digital data bases, artifacts, systematic historical research, and creative educational opportunities to ensure that the County’s past are accessible to the public, local and worldwide, today and in the future. The Society was incorporated in 1885 and welcomes all interested persons to enjoy its many activities, services, and facilities. The Society motto is: "Preserving Our Past for Your Future." We proudly report that the Society recently received the “Award for Excellence.” Thus, it joins a small group of outstanding non-profit organizations in Maryland that have qualified for the award

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Headquarters, Photographed in April 2010 by El Penski

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)
     The Society holds regular dinner meetings, lectures, tours, open houses, classes, and other programs on the heritage of Harford County. Please call for reservations, 410-734-6894.

• Gift Shop at Headquarters, it is open during regular hours of the Society.
• The Hays House Museum is open March through mid-December, Sundays from 1 to 4 pm and to groups by appointment. Special events 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. All events take place at Hays House unless otherwise indicated. Call 410-838-7691. $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and seniors. Children under 4 years old & 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
• Archives and Research Library Open, 10 AM - 2 PM, Fourth Saturday of every month January through October, for other times see below, Headquarters. $4.00 fee for nonmembers.
• POWER POINT LECTURE ON HARFORD COUNTY CANNERIES –ARCHEOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND ARTIFACT INTERPRETATION, January 11, 2012, 6:30 P.M. Havre de Grace City Hall. Sponsored by the Archeological Society of Northern Chesapeake (ASNC). Speaker Bernie Bodt. No Charge
• BRITISH REAR ADMIRAL GEORGE COCKBURN ATTACKS HAVRE DE GRACE – MAY 3, 1813 – NEW FINDINGS, February 8, 2012, 6:30 P.M. Historical Society Headquarters. Sponsored by the Archeological Society of Northern Chesapeake (ASNC). Speaker Christopher George. No Charge
• Grand Re-Opening! Timeless Furniture at Home in the Museum, March 11, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Preserving our Past Series: Visit the Hays House with furniture restoration expert Arthur Benser as he examines major pieces of antique furniture from the Historical Society’s collection. Admission: $5 adults, $3 Students and Seniors
• Women’s and Children’s Medical Care in the Quaker Community, April 15, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Preserving Our Past Series: Find out about the health issues and “cures” that plagued 18th century women and children from Nancy Webster, a practicing Quaker and history interpreter who has studied 18th century domestic life for more than 40 years. Admission: $5 adults, $3 Students and Seniors
• SPRING HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE & TEA, April 29, 2012, 2 pm – 4 pm. Historical Society Headquarters. The first in a series of local history talks. Talk only – No Charge. Tea & Talk $10 per person. 410-838-7691
• Children’s Games Day and May Day Celebration , May 6, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Preserving Our Past Series: An afternoon of fun and games for the whole family. Board games, and weather permitting, outdoor activities enjoyed by our forefathers. Admission: $5 adults, $3 Students and Seniors
• BUS TRIP, May 17, 2012, Bus leaves from the Historical Society, 143 N. Main Street. Annual fundraising bus trip to a unique regional historic site. Time and Site TBA. Cost TBA. 410-838-7691
• ART EXHIBIT AND WINE & CHEESE EVENING, June 7, 2012, 6:30 pm – 10 pm. Historical Society Headquarters. Exhibit featuring the Society’s recently received gift of the collected artwork of the late Mary Woodward. Evening reception. Admission TBA. 410-838-7691
• Independence Day Open House, July 4, 2012, Hays House Museum, 9 AM -12 PM, Special activities! Period music by the Catherine Street Consort. Admission: Free
• SUMMER HISTORICAL LECTURE & TEA, August 5, 2012, Historical Society Headquarters, 2 pm. Second in a series of four local history lectures. Speaker TBA. Talk only – No Charge. Tea & talk - $10. 410-838-7691
• Celebrate Grandparents Day! Take a Walk on the Wild Side, September 9, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Enjoy a visit with wildlife rehabilitator Kathy Woods and her feathered and scaled critters. Get answers to your wildlife rescue questions. Learn about honeybees from Dennis Hertzog of the Susquehanna Beekeepers Association. Admission: $5 adults, $3 Students and Seniors
• ANNUAL DINNER & LECTURE, September 20, 2012, Maryland Golf and Country Clubs, 1338 E. MacPhail Road. 6:30 pm – 10 pm. Dinner and speaker TBA. Sponsored by The Historical Society of Harford County. Fee TBA. 410-838-7691
• ANNUAL ARCHER LECTURE & TEA, October 21, 2012, Historical Society Headquarters. 2 pm. Third in a series of local history talks and teas. Lecture only – Free. Tea & lecture - $10 per person. 410-838-7691
• Parlor Concert featuring Planxty Plaid, October 28, 2012, Hays House Museum, 6 PM, Listen to a concert of Celtic and traditional music in the Hays House parlor by Planxty Plaid—fiddle player JoAnn Appel and guitar player Jim Selway. Light Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Reservations Required, Call 410-592-8693 or 410-838-7691. Admission: $8.00
• The Art of Hearth Cooking, November 11, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Preserving Our Past Series, Be an 18th century locavore! Experience the sounds and aromas of seasonal foods prepared at the hearth by Mercy Ingraham, a renowned 18th century culinary expert, history interpreter, and food writer for Early American Life. Admission: $5 adults, $3 Students and Seniors
• ALUMINUM CHRISTMAS TREE EXHIBIT, November 17, 2012 to Mid December, Historical Society Headquarters. Largest collection of decorated and lighted vintage aluminum trees on the East Coast on display. Adults $4; Children $2; 6 & under free. 410-838-7691
• Holiday Open House, December 2, 2012, Hays House Museum, 1 - 4 PM, Visit while the Hays House is richly arrayed in natural decorations for the holidays. Music by the Catherine Street Consort. Admission: Donations appreciated
• GREENS SALE & OPEN HOUSE, December 9, 2012, 9 am - 3 pm. Historical Society Headquarters. Live greens, both loose and holiday arrangements. Gift shop. Refreshments. Free Admission. 410-838-7691
• Colonial Candlelight Christmas Concert and Tea, Emmanuel Church in Bel Air, December 9 2012, 4 PM, Enjoy an exquisite holiday concert by Musica Antiqua performing on period instruments. Tea in the British tradition follows the concert. Reservations Required, Admission: $8.00, Call 410-592-8693 or 410-838-7691.

THE ARCHIVES;  (Open Wednesdays 8 AM - 2 PM and 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM - 2 PM except around holidays)
     A unique aspect of research materials is the tens of thousands of original source items dating back to the 1668. These include plats, letters, diaries, scrapbooks, ledgers, 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 10 - 12 AM & 1 - 2:30 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. $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)
     The Society is an excellent resource center for family history in Harford County, Maryland and adjacent areas. 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;  (Sundays 1 to 4 PM except winter break from the December holidays 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. Hays House is open every Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, except for winter break (see above), 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 9 AM - 3 PM and 4th Saturday of Month from 10 AM - 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.