Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

To find HCGL materials, search the catalog, search the databases, or browse finding aids.

The main purpose of the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL) is to collect, preserve, and make available historical materials documenting the Great Lakes region and connecting waterways. The HCGL consists of manuscript and archival materials (more than 2,000 cubic feet and approximately 450 collections); books, pamphlets, and periodicals; naval architectural drawings, maps, and charts; and photographs. Finding aids are available for processed manuscript collections; preliminary inventories have been compiled for most of the unprocessed collections. Finding aids are searchable using the "Manuscripts" link below.

The HCGL also has a collection of vessel data sheets created over the past forty years and over 100,000 images of Great Lakes vessels. The Vessel Database base is the end product of combining these two data formats into an online tool for researchers. We also have created a Lake Erie Ports Database containing images of major ports along the Lake Erie coast. Our third database, Maritime Personnel, contains information on individuals engaged in maritime activity.  All of these databases can be searched below.

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Manuscript Collections

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