North American History Collection
Take A Look Inside
For a century and a half the Library has collected the history of the U.S. and Canada, including political and military affairs, multicultural history, women's history, religion, folklore, anthropology, architecture, labor history, genealogy and more.
Color map of North American territories owned by the English and by the French. Scale: about 115 milles d'Angleterre to 1 inch. French title is "Carte des possessions angloises & francoises du continent de l'Amerique Septentrionale". Title also in Dutch: "Kaart van de Engelsche en Fransche Bezittingen in Het Vaste Land van Noord America". ID:W014GG7
First newspaper printing of "The Star Spangled Banner". Printed six days after the Battle of Fort McHenry, where Frances Scott Key wrote the poem that would later become the national anthem of the United States. ID:W01462X
The North American History Collection
The Wisconsin Historical Society holds one of the leading collections documenting U.S. and Canadian history.
Newspapers
The Society Library owns one of the nation's largest collections of North American newspapers, with more than 11,000 bound volumes and 100,000 reels of microfilm as well as access to digital collections of newspapers dating back to the early 18th century. Particular strengths include Wisconsin newspapers, colonial and early American newspapers west of the Appalachians, and the largest collection of labor and trade union newspapers in the nation.
The Library's holdings of 1960s "underground" or alternative newspapers are also extensive. Other areas of the collection that have attained national importance are Native American and African-American newspapers. Among rarities in the newspaper collection are the first African-American and Native American newspapers and the first Bohemian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Spanish language newspapers published in the United States.
Pamphlets
The Library has a collection of over 500,000 items in its pamphlets and ephemeral materials collection. Materials in this collection range from one-leaf printed flyers to paperback books of over 100 pages.
Periodicals
The library maintains approximately 7,800 subscriptions to current periodicals on all aspects of American social and political life. Its retrospective holdings include virtually all American magazines of news and opinion published before 1860, and specialized periodicals published by abolitionist, ethnic, military, religious, radical/reform, labor and women's organizations.
Resources on Microfilm
Nearly two million items in the Wisconsin Historical Society Library exist on some sort of microform. In addition to newspapers, you will also find manuscript collections, PhD dissertations, pre-1820 American books, archival series and pre-1850 American magazines on microfilm.
Also on microfilm is the Library's collection of family history records, including published and microfilmed family histories, church and cemetery records, birth, death and marriage registrations, federal and state census, local histories, and military information covering the United States and Canada.
Collections Use FAQs
Explore how you can find, access, and use our collection materials.
The Society's library and archives collections can be searched in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library catalog and some parts of our collections have been digitized and are available online.
The Society's historical object collection cannot be searched online.
Library & Archives
Many books, bound periodicals, microforms and government publications may be checked out for home use with a library card. Rare, fragile, small and heavily used materials (including genealogical resources) do not circulate. A borrowing card is not required if you want to use materials within the Library. Archival materials are available for use in our Archives Reading Room.
For more information about our borrowing policies Library & Archives Services.
Historic Objects
If you are interested in viewing our historical objects please contact us.
Due to significant demands associated with developing the Wisconsin History Center, the Society has reduced capacity to handle loan requests. Therefore, we are not accepting new requests at this time.
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the webpage for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
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Personal use (prints, gifts, home and study): Request images for personal use
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Commercial use (public display, publishing, media, products, film and more): Request commercial use of our Collection
Materials in our websites and digital collection are provided for research, teaching, and private study. The Wisconsin Historical Society hold rights to some items; others may be governed by additional copyright or donor restrictions.
We encourage users to download low-res images from our website for personal or classroom use, without written permission, within the meaning of the principles of “Fair Use.”
Permission is required for reproduction, publication, or commercial use of any content made available through our websites and digital collection. By using this website, including our digital collections, you agree to the Terms of Use. Users are responsible for determining whether their intended use qualifies as fair use under U.S. copyright law. When relying on fair use, cite the source.
Visit Our
Library & Archives
Perhaps the best way to begin exploring our collections is by visiting us in person. In our reading rooms, you’ll find free and unparalleled access to our collections, helpful staff and amenities, and perhaps, your very own story.
Plan Your Visit Hours
Donate to The Society's Collections
Your Story is Wisconsin's Story
History is made every day, everywhere. Since 1846, contributions from people across the state have helped us fulfill our mission to collect, preserve and tell the stories of Wisconsin.
Find Out HowLast Updated: April 8, 2026
