What Does the Sharon Historical Society Collect?

The Sharon Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Shenango Valley. Our archives serve as a vital resource for researchers, students, genealogists, and community members seeking to explore the people, places, and events that have shaped our region.

The Sharon Historical Society has limited storage space, and size restraints may prevent us from accepting a donation. Other factors that are considered when accepting new artifact donations include exhibit value, research value, condition, duplicates that we may already have, etc.

The Society actively collects, preserves, and makes accessible materials that document the history and development of Sharon and the Shenango Valley. Our archival holdings include:

Photographs and Visual Materials

Historic and contemporary physical and digital images of Sharon’s neighborhoods, businesses, industries, schools, and residents. These photographs help illustrate the city’s transformation from its early settlement through its industrial growth and modern era.

Manuscripts and Personal Papers

Letters, diaries, journals, and family papers that provide insight into everyday life in Sharon across generations. These materials are invaluable for understanding personal experiences and community connections.

Local Government and Organizational Records

Documents related to municipal history, civic organizations, churches, clubs, and businesses that reflect the civic and social life of the community.

Newspapers and Printed Materials

Local newspapers, newsletters, pamphlets, and ephemera that document important events, announcements, and cultural trends in Sharon’s history.

Maps, Plans and Property Records

Historic maps, land records, and architectural drawings that trace the growth and development of the city, including its industrial and residential expansion.

Oral Histories

Recorded interviews and firsthand accounts from residents that preserve memories of life in Sharon, including its industrial heritage and community traditions. Oral history projects are a common and growing part of historical society collections.

Artifacts and Ephemera

Select three-dimensional items such as tools, textiles, and everyday objects that represent the material culture of Sharon’s past.

Scope of Our Collection

The Sharon Historical Society’s collections focus on the history of Sharon and the surrounding Shenango Valley from its founding in the late 18th century through its rise as an industrial center and into the present day. Materials are selected based on their relevance to the people, institutions, and events that define the community’s heritage.

Research & Access to Our Archives

ARCHIVES ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THIS TIME DUE TO ONGOING RENOVATIONS — The archives are available to researchers by appointment. Whether you are tracing family roots, studying local industry, or exploring neighborhood history, our collections offer a unique window into Sharon’s past.

Donations of historically significant materials related to Sharon are always welcome and help ensure that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate our shared history.

 

What Can I Donate?

The Sharon Historical Society accepts a variety of donations which can be ephemera, old advertising, letterhead, publications, industrial items, regional or locally-connected artifacts, and more! Please use the contact form if you have any questions.

How Can I Donate?

The Sharon Historical Society is committed to promoting, preserving, and educating the public about the city of Sharon’s rich history. We are always accepting new donations. These may be mailed, with your contact information, to us at: P.O. Box 82, Sharon, PA 16146

Do Donated Items Go On Exhibit?

Some do, although only a small percentage of the Sharon Historical Society’s collections are on exhibit at any one time. That’s because we have limited gallery space, and long-term display can negatively affect preservation. Items in the Society’s collections that are not on exhibit are kept in secure, climate-controlled storage for optimal preservation.

What Towns or Areas Encompass the Shenango Valley?

The Sharon Historical Society’s collections document not only the history of Sharon, but also the broader Shenango Valley region. This term refers to the closely connected communities that developed along the Shenango River, including Farrell (South Sharon), Hermitage (Hickory Township), and Sharpsville, as well as neighboring towns such as West Middlesex, Wheatland, Reynolds, Brookfield, and Masury. Shaped by a shared industrial heritage and longstanding cultural ties, the Shenango Valley represents a unified regional story, and the Society’s archives reflect the people, industries, and institutions that have defined this interconnected community over time.