501 E. Bolt St. | Fort Worth, TX 76110
817-392-7740 | history@fortworthtexas.gov
Print at this location
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday: 11 AM - 7 PM
Thursday: 11 AM - 7 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
The Fort Worth History Center maintains the City's archives and local history records. Our team includes librarians, archivists and a genealogy expert who can help with family and local history research. We also offer special programs for people who enjoy learning about history.
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There are many ways to explore our local history collection. When you visit the Fort Worth History Center, you can look through yearbooks, books about Fort Worth, newspapers, maps and more. Our friendly staff are here to help if needed.
Please note: Some items, including all archives, are stored offsite. Be sure to check the catalog before your visit if you're looking for something specific.
You can use our databases with a Fort Worth Public Library card. They cover many topics for researchers and lifelong learners. Anyone can search the Library's catalog and learn about our collections online.
Please note: Ancestry.com Library Edition is only available at the Fort Worth History Center or any Fort Worth Public Library location.
Early Fort Worth News
1873-1882
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
1897-present
Photograph Collection
Fort Worth Labor News
History Geo Research
Previously recorded programs from the Fort Worth Public Library or the Fort Worth History Center are available on demand on YouTube.
This Day in History Local Landmarks
Community History Workshops Oral Histories
The library has online tools that let you search the archives by keyword. You can use finding aids, which are detailed guides to each collection. These guides include background on the person or group who created the collection and a summary of what's inside.
Use Finding Aids Search Digital Archives
All archives collections are stored offsite and require three (3) business days' notice for retrieval.
Anyone can use the archives for research. If you want to visit in person, here's what you need to know:
Handle all items with care. Do not write on them or change their order. Gloves will be provided for handling photos.
The genealogy collection focuses on the southern and midwestern U.S., along with the thirteen original stats. Most of the U.S. is covered, and there are also some materials on other countries, especially Great Britain and parts of Western Europe.
The Fort Worth History Center offers free access to tools like Ancestry.com Library Edition* and other resources to help with research on Indigenous or enslaved people. A genealogy expert is available to help guide your search.
Ancestry.com Library Edition*
Bibliography of Indigenous Peoples
Heritage Quest Online
Texas Reference Center
*requires use at one of our locations
The Fort Worth History Center holds decades of handwritten history. You can help protect and share this history by becoming a citizen archivist.
Using the FromThePage website, you can read and type out old Fort Worth documents from home. You can work on one page or many—it’s up to you!
Getting started is easy:
Visit FromThePage.com and click “Sign Up To Transcribe” to create a free account.
Click “Find A Project” and look for the Fort Worth Public Library Archives collection.
Pick a document and start transcribing! If you need assistance, watch a video tutorial here or email our staff.
If you're planning a school or group visit, please contact us ahead of time. Email us your request and our friendly staff will do their best to work with your schedule.