Archives research is available Mondays from 10am to 12pm or by appointment but, since our archives are run by volunteer’s and sometimes things do come up, please call or email the library ahead of your trip to insure we have someone available to help you during your visit. Our phone is 401-539-2851 or email langworthylibrary@gmail.com
Information contained in the archives is primarily focused on Hope Valley with some coverage of greater Hopkinton, the Wyoming village of Richmond, Charlestown and nearby Connecticut.
Collections Include:
Gladys Palmer Collection contains local information concerning genealogy, land evidence, wills and local buildings. It is searchable by last name or subject.
Historic Photograph Collection contains a wide ranging assembly of photographs of people, buildings and landmarks in Hope Valley and surrounding areas. Many of the photographs were collected by Gladys Segar, former librarian of Langworthy Public Library. It is searchable by last name or subject.
Wood River Branch Railroad Collection contains photographs, plans, historic documents and memorabilia of the railroad from its beginning in 1872.
Genealogy Book Collection contains a variety of family histories as well as basic search aids such as The Rhode Island Genealogical Register by Alden G. Beaman; The Complete Book of Emigrants by Peter Wilson Coldham; Descendants of Roger Williams, v. 1-5 and George Soule of the Mayflower and his Descendants for Four generations by John Soule. Many other titles are available and all are listed in the library catalog.
Map Collection contains New Topographical Atlas of Surveys of Southern Rhode Island, comprising the countries of Newport, Bristol, Kent and Washington Counties, Everts and Richards, 1895; Atlas of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: from Actual Surveys and Official Records, D.C. Beers, 1870 and Hope Valley, Washington County, Rhode Island: including Wyoming, 1924, Sanborn Map Company.
Newspaper Collection contains bound issues of Wood River Advertiser, 1879-1890; Hope Valley Advertiser, 1881-1883; Sentinel and Advertiser, 1884-1886 and The Shannock Weekly Sentinel, 1883.
Scrapbook Collection contains newspaper clippings of local interest. It is searchable by last name or subject.
Memorabilia Collection contains autograph books, account books, postcards and other items owned by local families.
Archival Online Databases:
Archives Photo Albums
Depot Square Oral History Project