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New London's Town Archives Committee collects and preserves letters, records, photographs, and other information needed to document the ongoing history of the town. Volunteers update and manage the collection, and they assist researchers in its use.
Today's collection reflects at least a century of generosity and care. In 1910, descendants of Rev. Job Seamans (1748–1830) entrusted his papers to the town library, and in 1915 librarian Emma Bartlett reported that "a safe has been purchased so that rare and valuable documents ... may be carefully preserved." Thus began a continuing commitment to the collection and preservation of the town's historical archives.
In 1933, the Town History Committee was established in order to plan historic observances, prepare for the publication of an updated town history, and maintain the town papers and archives. Operating since that time under various names (Town History Committee, Town History and Archives Committee, and Town Archives Committee), the group has expanded the collection, coordinated the installation of historic markers, commemorated anniversaries, twice moved into new facilities, and published town histories covering both halves of the 20th century.
The work continues. Even as new information is added each week, existing images and records are being converted into digital format—providing greater security and access to this diverse collection of information used by local historians, family genealogists, and town planners.