Portage County Public Library

Historical Documents

Your library may have town records, meeting minutes, annual reports, or founding documents in their local history collection. Look for charters, ordinances, or policy documents that shaped your community. Many libraries maintain digital archives on their websites.

Historical Photos

Library collections often include photographs of your town’s main street over time, class photos from local schools, images of community events, or portraits of notable residents. Check both physical displays and online digital collections.

Historical Artifacts

Some libraries display objects like old library cards, vintage typewriters, historical maps, town seals, or items donated by community members. These might be in display cases or the local history room.

Historical Art

Look for murals, paintings of local scenes, portrait paintings of founders or benefactors, or commemorative artwork celebrating the library’s history or the community’s heritage.

Where to Look

• Main entrance and lobby areas for commemorative plaques or artwork
• Local history room or special collections area
• Display cases throughout the building
• Children’s section (sometimes features local history)
• Library website: digital collections, local history page, archive databases

Tips for Finding Beacons

• Ask a librarian about local history resources and displays
• Check if the library has a “local history” or “community archive” section on their website
• Look for informational plaques about the building itself if it’s historic
• Some libraries have “memory projects” or digitized photograph collections online