LIBRARY AND COLLECTIONS

Founded in 1981, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia Library is in the Trinity Church Building. The Trinity Church building also houses the Society’s office.

The CHSV Collection contains around 25,000 items, 90% donated by County residents and non-residents, alike.

The CHSV Library is open daily to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are photocopiers available for a charge. The research request fee is $25.

CHSV Library and Collections include:

Maps: A comprehensive collection (1607-2019) of county and regional maps, including the Colonial era, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Coal Mining, Railroads and Rivers, and more.

Manuscripts: Original documents including diaries, church minute books, country store ledgers, family Bible records, letters, genealogy charts, and more.

Picture Collection: Over 5,500 County photographs, from tin-types to digital.

Rare Books: Includes out-of-print books and original manuscripts. Available to the serious historian by appointment. Many items have been photocopied for general use.

Cemetery Records: An alphabetical file of over 12,000 known burials in Chesterfield County recorded from family graveyards, church cemeteries and other resources

Vertical Files: An extensive alphabetical file on people, places and events in Chesterfield County, including newspaper and magazine clippings, brochures, programs and flyers as well as promotional materials and historic records.

Family History Files: Research files on Chesterfield County families.

Census Records: From records in the late 1700s to 20th Century census indices.

Abstracts of Title Deed Searches: From the mid-1800s thru to the 1930s.

Periodicals: Copies of select newspapers as well as genealogical publications. ​

Library Information

Chesterfield’s Veterans Database

The Research Library’s Chesterfield Veterans Database is an on-going project which records over 7,000 individuals from every conflict since 1611, from the Colonial period thru to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Completing the database form will help us to keep the database current.

Chesterfield’s Veterans Database Form

The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia is compiling a database of all Chesterfield County veterans from the Colonial wars to the 21st Century. Intended as a memorial to those who served their country, this database will be made available to researchers who visit the Society library and may be provided online. Please include only information that you would like added to this database. For more information, please contact the Chesterfield Historical Society of VA at (804)796-7121 or email [email protected]

Prisoner of War

Informant Information

The following will be used only if the Society needs to contact you for more information. This information will not be made available to the public.

Research Requests

Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your research on people, places, and events in Chesterfield County history. As the birthplace of the second permanent English settlement in the New World with the first hospital, coal mines, ironworks, tobacco farming, and many other significant events, we have a history we are proud to share! We are only able to conduct research on Chesterfield County history and residents. Please note that there is a minimum charge of $25.00 per research request. Copies and postage are extra. Upon evaluation of your request, you will be contacted to discuss the request and anticipated charge.

Research Request Form

Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your research on people, places and events in Chesterfield County’s rich history. Please note there is a $25 minimum charge per research request. Upon evaluation of your request, a volunteer researcher will contact you.

Public Speaking Requests

We can provide speakers to deliver PowerPoint presentations on the work done by the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia. There is no charge. Please call (804) 796-7121.