Visiting the Archives
The Thunder Bay Archives has a wide range of materials about the social, political, economic, natural, and built history of the City. This page contains information on: hours and location, finding aids, researcher guidelines, photocopies and reproductions, registration, access and privacy, and contact information.
HOURS AND Location
The City of Thunder Bay Archives is open from 8:30 to 4:30, Monday to Friday, excepting statutory holidays. The Archives building is at 235 Vickers St. North, near the intersection with Miles St.
The Archives welcomes visitors at any time. For complicated research questions, you may wish to phone ahead so that we can determine what materials are available to meet your needs.
Finding Aids To holdings
An overview and listings of our holdings can be found online. Archival materials are arranged by municipality – Thunder Bay, Port Arthur, Fort William, and Townships – and by series.
Visitors to the archives will also be able to search our holdings database, and consult directories and local publications. Reference assistance is available.
guidelines
The Archives is designed to provide the best possible environment for both the researchers who use it and the records they use. To preserve the physical and intellectual integrity of these historical records we ask that you:
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do not remove materials from the Archives
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make no marks or erasures on any materials
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wear gloves and exercise care when handling materials
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use a maximum of five items at a time
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credit the City of Thunder Bay Archives when publishing photographs or quoting from materials in our collection
Adobe PDF, 1 page, 77 KB Photocopies or microfilm prints are available for 55 cents per page. The student rate for photocopies is 25 cents per page.
High resolution digital copies of photographs and other documents already scanned are available for research purposes at $2 per image; students are allowed the first five images at no charge. Images for publication are subject to approval, but may be available at $10 per image. Photographic reproductions are available at cost.
Researchers will be required to sign an agreement regarding the use of photographs and other images.
Registration
The Archives is open and accessible to everyone. However, when you visit the Archives for the first time, we will ask you to fill out a research application.
Research Application Adobe PDF, 1 page, 31 KB
Access and privacy
The Archives contains some materials that you may see only under certain conditions. Archival series have been classified under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (MFIPPA). These designations are as follows:
| (A) |
Fully Accessible |
| (A*) | Records in question are generally available for public use but may be subject to certain restrictions - according to legislation. |
| (FOI) |
A formal Freedom of Information request must be submitted |
Users requesting materials designated (A*) must wait for files to be reviewed by Archives staff. Materials designated (FOI) require a formal application for access.
How to Contact Us
|
Address: |
City Archives |
| Mailing address: |
500 Donald Street E |
| Tel: | (807) 625-2270 |
| Fax: | (807) 622-4212 |
| Manager: | Matt Szybalski, Corporate Records Manager and City Archivist |
| Tel: | (807) 625-3390 |
| Email: | mszybalski@thunderbay.ca |
