Historical Center: Where the past is always present

In 1989, the Historical Center of York County was established in a wing of the McCelvey Center. The Historical Center serves as the county’s archival repository, acting to collect, preserve, interpret, and maintain historically significant records relating to the history of the Carolina Piedmont. To learn more about the Historical Center's history click here.

The Historical Center provides opportunities for genealogical and historical research through its extensive collections of documents, photographs, York County court records, microfilm reels of federal censuses and local newspapers, rare books, maps, church and cemetery indexes, family genealogical books, as well as numerous reference books.

Research files include:

• 18th and 19th century occupations numbering 2,000 entries
• Confederate veterans numbering 3,200 entries
• Regional genealogy numbering 80,000 entries
• 780 entries on the Revolutionary War Battle Inventory
• 3000 entries in African Americans in the Revolutionary War database
• Index to the Bobby Moss Southern Revolutionary War Collection
• Bratton Family records and documents

Resources Include:

• Joseph Hart Collection of York County surnames
• Surname research files
• County and regional maps
• Family and church histories
• Military records of Revolutionary War and Civil War participants
• York County court records and indexes of deeds, wills, and court cases
• Bratton Family records and documents
• Southern Revolutionary War Institute

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Location Details

The McCelvey Center also houses storage facilities for the collections of historical objects and curatorial offices for staff.

The Historical Center is located in McCelvey Center at:
212 E. Jefferson St.
York, SC 29745.