Immigrant City Archives Inc.

“Historical CollectionsIn accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 116, Accounting for Contributions Received and Contributions Made, the Organization does not capitalize donated assets of historical significance or recognize them as revenues or gains. SFAS No. 116 provides that such donations need not be recognized, if they are added to collections that are held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service rather than financial gain; are protected, kept unencumbered, cared for, and preserved; and are subject to a policy that requires the proceeds from sales of collection items to be used to acquire other items for collections, which is the policy of the Organization.”

“Our initial collection was started at the YWCA and consisted of documents of resident women immigrants. Thirty seven years later, we own and are located at 6 Essex Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts in the former Essex Company complex a site on the National Register of Historic Places built in 1882-3 that includes a main office building, carpenter shop, blacksmith shop, stable, and warehouse. Our largest single collection is the Essex Company business and planning records that meticulously document the building of the City of Lawrence starting in 1845. Other collections include over 20,000 photographs and glass plate negatives, 800 digitally mastered oral histories, mayoral papers, non-current municipal records, church records, organizational records from local businesses and agencies, and an array of family and individual records that document the ethnically diverse and intellectually challenging nature of Lawrence. We engage the community by employing these materials through physical and online exhibits, symposia, educational programs, and research services to foster understanding of the interaction of the built community and the lives of those who live and work there.”