The Local History and Genealogy Center is an area in the library dedicated to its local historical materials and archives, and a convenient place for those doing family research. Located in the alcove of the library’s study room, the Center holds the Local History Reference book collection as well as a file system for photographs and documents. The library continues to offer researchers the ability to search databases such as Ancestry.com (in library-use only) and Heritage Quest Online free of charge.
Lower Macungie Library’s Local History resources are non-circulating. They focus on the following geographic, historical, industrial and cultural areas:
The Library has a nice collection of Pennsylvania Railroad and train history and related industries that formed in eastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Also represented are specific local industries such as Air Products, Bethlehem Steel, and Mack Trucks.
Local Pennsylvania German / Pennsylvania Dutch culture is an important part of the region, and is represented in books and videos concerning the folklore, language, culture, and art items produced by the Pennsylvania Dutch, Moravians, Mennonites, and Amish of Pennsylvania.
We are a depository of genealogical records from local churches and cemeteries, and keep class yearbooks from neighborhood schools.
The library is looking for donated items of local interest, and well as local imprints (print materials of age that have been published locally) and newly published works that have some historical interest, especially those written by local authors. If you are interested in donating to the collection, please use our Contact Us form or call the library at 610 966-6864.
Our local history collection is a great resource to help you in your genealogy research. For more info on how Lower Macungie Library can aid you in building your family tree, visit our Genealogy page.