The Sandwich Town Archives welcome researchers and community members interested in exploring the history of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and the people who have called it home. We recommend making an appointment so we can best prepare for your visit and help you make the most of your time. Many of our items are also available online and can be accessed at any time.  

• Books: An assortment of non-circulating rare and out-of-print local history titles.
  
  
• Photographs: A varied collection of Sandwich and Cape Cod photographs, dating from the 1870s.
  
  
• Family Files: Copies of diaries, letters, and genealogical records from prominent local families such as the Freeman, Hoxie, Dexter, Nye, Swift, and Wing families. Free access to Ancestry.com is available in the library.
  
  
• Subject Files: Vertical files containing newspaper and magazine clippings, pamphlets, research notes, and other ephemera related to people, places, and events in Sandwich and the surrounding communities.
  
  
• Manuscript Collections: Personal papers, family papers, business records, and organizational records.
  
  
• Property Asset Files: Historic Resource Survey Files from the Sandwich Historical Commission documenting significant local homes, properties, and structures. Many are online via the MACRIS database.
  
  
• Yearbooks: Sandwich High School, Henry T. Wing School, and Sandwich Middle High School yearbooks since 1964. Also available are Senior Class photographs ranging from 1940 to 1974.
  
  
• Historic Newspapers: A diverse range of local publications, both longstanding and short-lived, dating back to 1846.
  
  
• Town Reports: Annual Sandwich town reports and meeting records since 1650.
  
  
• Maps: Historical maps and occasional architectural blueprints of Sandwich.
  
  

Make an Appointment:

The Sandwich Town Archives is open year-round (hours differ from the library). To make an appointment, please email the Archivist, Jen Ratliff, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Before your visit, please review our Policies and Procedures to help ensure a smooth research experience.

Please note: The Reading Room is kept at a cool, controlled temperature for preservation purposes. We recommend bringing a sweater for your comfort.

→ We strongly suggest contacting the Archivist prior to your visit, so that we can better serve you by having materials and staff available for your arrival. 


Donate Materials:

The Sandwich Town Archives collects archival and rare materials in several focused areas of research, most notably: the history of the Sandwich Public Library and its predecessor institutions; the history of the Town of Sandwich, including collections from municipal departments, individuals, organizations, and businesses; and materials related to Barnstable County.

Anyone wishing to donate items should contact the Archivist, Jen Ratliff, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

→ Materials should not be delivered to the Archives without prior written approval from the Archivist.

Support the Sandwich Town Archives:

Friends of the Sandwich Town Archives (FOSTA) is a dedicated, all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to supporting and promoting the archives' collections and the rich, diverse history of the town of Sandwich.

FOSTA plays a vital role in supporting the Sandwich Town Archives by providing supplemental funding and resources for its continued operation. This support helps ensure the preservation of historic documents, books, and photographs, while also promoting public access for research and educational purposes.