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Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library
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The Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library (SGHRL) provides a relaxing setting in which to pursue your family research at your own pace. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just beginning to explore the wonderful world of genealogy, our staff can help you on your way. Using a variety of research tools, you will quickly develop the skills you need to create your own family tree. Search for local histories in the stacks, look up census records on microfilm, explore vital records on microfiche, and browse our growing CD-ROM collection. There is a daily research fee of $3.00 for non-members.
SGHRL features four computer workstations with high speed Internet access, and offers wireless, high speed Internet access for our patrons with laptop computers. For more information about SGHRL, please click on our old catalog drawers at the top of the page.
The Library
The Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library is on the first floor of the Simsbury Free Library building. It is owned and operated by the Board of Trustees of the Simsbury Free Library
Mission Statement
To promote interest in genealogy and history by providing access to:
- research material and expertise
- artifacts
- educational and cultural programs.
It seeks to help its patrons connect with the past and to learn from and be inspired by those who have gone before them.
History of the Simsbury Free Library, Collection and Building
The Simsbury Free Library (SFL) is located in picturesque Simsbury, Connecticut. The town dates from 1642, when the first British colonists ventured into the area. Situated in the scenic Farmington River Valley, the river itself winds through the town, which is approximately fourteen miles northwest of Hartford.
Architect's Rendering of the Simsbury Free Library, 1890
The SFL opened on the second floor of the Hopmeadow District School in 1874, after Amos Richards Eno rewarded the inspiration and work of a group of public-spirited citizens with a generous endowment for the library. Mr. Eno was a Simsbury native and property owner who had gained wealth and prominence in New York City in the 19th century through investments in that city’s real estate. He later donated land and funds to build a separate building and in 1890 the library’s collection moved to its present location.
More on the history of the SFL and its building
Board of Trustees of the Simsbury Free Library
James P. Flynn, Chairman Tara D. Willerup, Vice Chairman Martin J. Geitz, Treasurer Paul F. McAlenney, Secretary Richard Schoenhardt Arthur House Richard D. Wagner Mary Jane Springman T.J. Donohue Melissa McKeen William Phelps Eno Memorial Center
A unique personal archive of historic transportation materials
William Phelps Eno is internationally recognized as the “Father of Traffic Regulation and Transportation Engineering.” The William Phelps Eno Memorial Center was created and entrusted to the SFL in 1992 by the Eno Transportation Foundation, which was founded and privately endowed in 1921 by Mr. Eno in Westport, Connecticut. Its headquarters are now in Washington, D.C.
William Phelps Eno's Office The Center occupies the north end of the SFL’s main reading room. Using Mr. Eno’s furniture, paintings and artifacts, it recreates the office he had in the Foundation’s Connecticut headquarters. In it you will find all of Mr. Eno’s original scrapbooks in which he saved visionary writing and correspondence with world leaders and other notables dating from the late 1800s. Here you will see copies of detailed research documents and publications from his time to the present, since his work is continued by the Eno Transportation Foundation. True to its motto Ex Chao Ordo (Out of Chaos, Order), the Foundation carries on today at an even greater pace and includes all modes of transportation.
©2010 Simsbury Free Library.
