The reference services offered by the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center are designed to accommodate requests for access to information found in our holdings while ensuring the long-term preservation of the collections and protecting the privacy of its individuals.

If you are unable to visit the Archives in person we do provide reference research services. Please see our policies outlined under Services and Fees.

Access Policies:

Authorized personnel from Archdiocesan offices may request records that their office created at any time with the appropriate information.

PAHRC’s collection is also open to the general public, though federal, state, and Archdiocesan policies require that some of these records be closed to researchers for varying lengths of time. Access to American Catholic Historical Society collections is practically unlimited and major portions of the Seminary and Archdiocesan materials are open to researchers. Access restrictions to Seminary and Archdiocesan materials apply to the usual run of confidential files and to bishops’ correspondence after 1920; however, bishops’ files after 1920 may be opened to researchers with special permission. Use of Archdiocesan departmental records requires the permission of the department.

General Guidelines in the Archives:

We ask all researchers who use The Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center collections to help preserve and protect these materials so that they will be available for future generations.

To provide the most effective environment for research and study, as well as to ensure the proper security, care and maintenance of our library holdings, the Society has established the following guidelines for all users of the library:

Smoking is prohibited.

Eating and drinking are prohibited around workspace.

Noise should be kept at a minimum.

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other designated adult, in the Archives, at all times. PAHRC’s policies, developed to ensure a conducive research atmosphere, apply to children, students, and adults.

The use of digital cameras is permitted.

The use of personal scanners is not permitted.