Historical research

Dates, historical context, proper names, addresses, and geographic locations are researched and recorded. The comprehensive holdings of the Library’s Western History Collection support this research.

Researchers John Ridener and Randel Metz consult the Western History map collection.

Ridener using City Directories.

Our research staff has instant access to the books, magazines, newspapers, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in the Western History Department at The Denver Public Library to ensure that our catalog records are accurate and filled with valuable information. The department's "General Index," a one-of-a-kind card catalog hand-compiled over 60 years, correlates the department's collections and is of vital importance to our photo researchers. By virtue of the searchable nature of the photo database, information gleaned from the General Index and used in the photo records is now online. Converting the entire General Index into a database is a daunting project, that is currently being explored.

Myron Vallier (upper left) is our editor, Coi Drummond (on phone) is our sales coordinator, and Mary Ruhland (with long picture), Abby Haverstock (top), Margaret Wood (below) and Randel Metz (right) are our catalogers.