Pikes Peak Library District’s Special Collections Department, which is located in the historic Carnegie Library building connected to Penrose Library, is changing its name. As of Nov. 1, 2023, this department has been renamed to Regional History & Genealogy.
This section was initially called Special Collections due to the number and variety of “special collections” the department curated – the photo archives, newspaper archives and collections, digital collections, manuscripts, city directories, and genealogy collections, to name just a few. As the genealogy collection and databases grew in number and popularity, the area became more commonly known as Regional History & Genealogy, prompting the name change.
Regional History & Genealogy’s most substantial resource is its knowledgeable, helpful staff who curate the collection and help patrons with their research. The section also houses books, maps, manuscripts and archives, photographs, oral histories, films and videos, government documents, pamphlets, periodicals, a digitized collection of historic regional photographs, and other materials related to the history of the Pikes Peak region. Additionally, it offers extensive family history research materials, covering the entire United States from Colonial times to the present, including books, periodicals, and access to major genealogical databases. Every month, Regional History & Genealogy hosts Virtual Genealogy Basics classes to help anyone interested in compiling their family genealogy to implement successful research strategies and gain familiarity with available research databases and resources.
The official hours of Regional History & Genealogy were recently expanded to better accommodate the needs of our community. Its hours are now:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Click here for more information about PPLD’s Regional History & Genealogy department and its programs and activities.