What are archives? Archives are both a location and the material itself. Archives, otherwise known as an archival repository, is a place where unique, one-of-a-kind historical material is stored and made accessible in an as environmentally-controlled environment as feasible. Archives or archival material are historical documents, letters, notes, memos, ledgers, board minutes, or other non-current records preserved for their continued value that tell a story about an organization, individual, or family. As an archival repository, we actively collect manuscripts (letters, diaries, etc…), organizational records, visual images including various types of photographs and slides, and historically significant maps that directly relate to Waukesha County history. Items or collections (groupings of records) accessioned (or formally accepted) into the Archives Collection have been selected, appraised (historical not monetary), and documented; are processed, described, and cataloged; made accessible through finding aids and/or reference sources; and will be managed and preserved in accordance with current professional archival standards.

When using these materials, you as the patron assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, confidentiality, and copyright. For more information about these laws, contact your attorney.

Collection Criteria

Archives (including visual images) in the Waukesha County Historical Society's collection shall meet one or all of the following criteria:

  1. All items must be considered suitable to the collection and meet the Museum's stated mission.
  2. They must be documented as having been created or used in Waukesha County or have a significant impact on Waukesha County history.
  3. They must significantly document or illustrate the history of Waukesha County or Waukesha County's role in Wisconsin and United States history.
  4. All items accepted into the collection must be in good and original condition to permit their use for research or exhibition purposes, or be sufficiently important to warrant the cost of conservation. The Archivist will limit collecting to items that the Society can reasonably preserve, care for, store, and make accessible.
  5. All items must have information about who or what organization created and owned the record(s) (record creator's origin and original use) and the purpose of the record(s).
  6. All items must be accompanied by clear title.
  7. All items must comply with all local, state, federal laws and regulations governing possession, public use, and ownership of cultural, historical and archaeological artifacts.

Collection Objectives

The objective of the Archives Collection is to maintain and build upon the present collection of archival material, with emphasis on those items, which represent all socioeconomic levels of Waukesha County. The Archives Collection shall include:

  1. Those items pertaining directly to Waukesha County & its territory (1846-present, and time of Waukesha County being a territory of Milwaukee County).
  2. Items included in the Archives Collection consist of records and other primary documents from Waukesha County & territory, the subject of which pertains to the following, unless otherwise specified:

Donations to the Archives Collection can be arranged by appointment.

For more information, please contact Eric Vanden Heuvel at evandenheuvel@wchsm.org or 262-521-2859 ext. 223.

To view types of information contained in our Archives or Library, stop by during regular business hours or visit our Major Reference Sources page.



Outside the entrance doors to the Research Center is a photo gallery entitled TimeLapse: At Work in Waukesha County. This changing exhibit gallery compares historic photographs from the Museum’s Research Center with contemporary views of the same businesses. Copies of the contemporary photographs have been donated to the Research Center collection. Visit the Research Center to discover other historic photographs and documents on businesses and other topics.