City Archive Holdings

The City Archives is responsible for:

• departmental records management
• the City's fine art collection
• research services for City staff and the general public

Access to certain material in the City of St. John's Archives is governed by federal, provincial and municipal privacy laws.

Read our Guide to City Holdings

Holdings

Our Archives include the following materials:

Architectural Drawings

Architectural plans for commercial buildings predominately date from the 1960s. Our holdings are not as extensive for residential properties.

Community Records

Archives also collects material relating to St. John's persons, businesses, community groups and general material on the history of St. John's.

Images

Archives has an extensive collection of photographic material dating from the 1860s and a limited collection of historic sketches dating from the 1830s.  

Maps

General map collection dates from the 1830s.

Municipal Records

Holdings include the administrative and operational records of the City of St. John’s, as well as the records of former municipalities that amalgamated with the City. Most of this information is post 1892, but some pre-Great Fire material has survived.