Local Artifacts

The Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room, adjacent to the Genealogy and Local History Department at the Downtown Main Library, displays local history artifacts and provides a climate controlled and secure environment for using the Library’s rare and fragile materials.

Tyler Davidson fountain in Digital Library, opens a new windowDigital Library

The Library's collection is one of the nation’s oldest and largest. To provide greater access to our rare print materials, especially those of local significance, please visit our Digital Library, opens a new window.

Popular collections include Ohio River Floods, opens a new window, Cincinnati History Lantern Slides, opens a new window, and the Cincinnati Photo and Print File, opens a new window, which includes many photos of local landmarks.

Cincinnati Inventors Database

This database indexes patents issued to Cincinnati and Hamilton County Ohio Inventors from 1814 through 1873. Each entry provides a link to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office website. TIFF software is required to view a patent's full-size image. View the database.

Services

Genealogy and Local History Department staff offers specialized reference assistance to all customers, from children and beginning genealogists to professional researchers and scholars. The department presents monthly tours, co-sponsors programs with the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and develops programs tailored to the needs of any size class or group, including family reunions. To schedule a program, contact the department in person, by phone, or email.

 

Recommended Reads from our Staff

Cincinnati History

Learn more about the Queen City in these books selected by our Genealogy and Local History staff.

Latest Blog Posts

New Digital Collection Celebrates Cincinnati Pride History

View a special collection of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky LGBTQIA+ historical community artifacts online on our Digital Library.

Librarians of Blue Ash Branch Library's Past

See who's worked at this popular branch from the 1930s-today. Then find current staff on our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok from June 5-9.

“Least Favorite Thing—Leaving,” Herbert's West End Story

Former West End resident Herbert Winston relives growing up in Richmond Village (now The Arts Apartments of Music Hall) in the mid-1960s.
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