Student Research Visits
The History Center’s Detre Library & Archives is home to one of the largest collections of primary sources related to Western Pennsylvania history. Always free to visit, the Library & Archives welcomes students of all ages, as well as community and professional groups interested in learning more about researching Western Pa. history through our collections.
Our collection contains books, newspapers, and other printed material, as well as documents, photographs, films, audio recordings, architectural drawings, and much more. Popular research topics include African American history, the Civil War, the Gilded Age, Kennywood, local Italian and Jewish communities, Urban Renewal, the Vietnam War, and World War II. Given the fairly broad scope of the History Center’s collecting mission, there are many other topics that can be explored through our collections!
Student research visits and virtual orientations are free of charge but must be booked separately from museum field trips that include exhibit access. To explore History Center’s exhibits, please visit the student field trip or adult group trip pages to make arrangements.
Student Research Visit Information
All student research visits must be scheduled at least one month in advance to ensure staff and space availability. Archives staff will send a confirmation email once your booking is secured.
- Availability: Mondays, Tuesdays, and select weeknight evenings (other days available with advanced coordination)
- Grade Levels: Adaptable for grades 3–12 and college-level learners
- Duration: 60–90 minutes, depending on program selection
- Cost: Free
Research Visit Options for School Groups
Groups visiting the Detre Library & Archives may choose one or more of the following research visit options.
This session begins with an introduction to the Detre Library & Archives covering who we are, what we do, the types of materials in our collection, and how to access these materials. Instruction on using the Detre Library & Archives online catalog and/or other search tools is also included.
This experience can be customized based on your group’s topical interests, level of research experience, and other needs. The second part of the session includes time for the group to look through a selection of pre-selected material on a topic relevant to their interests. This allows learners to familiarize themselves with handling our archival material, photographs, maps, and published material.
This option lasts about one hour.
This option is for groups wishing to conduct independent research during a visit. The session includes a brief orientation to the Detre Library & Archives shaped by the group’s prior knowledge of our holdings and mission.
Groups with research objectives should consider scheduling two hours in the library to allow for material delivery and adequate time with the sources. Groups will coordinate with Detre Library & Archives staff in advance to identify relevant materials, which will be pre-selected and ready for the group.
This option typically lasts between 1-3 hours.
Engaging instruction session on how to locate relevant primary sources online. Includes strategies on how to leverage Google to surface digitized primary sources. Local and national websites featuring large amounts of digitized primary sources will also be highlighted. This session is well-suited for middle school, high school, college, and adult learners who are in the early phases of a research project, and it includes guidance on effective research strategies.
This option typically lasts between 30 minutes to one hour.
Virtual or off–site orientations or classes can be offered as a standalone experience or as a primer ahead of an on-site visit. Orientations are generally 30–45 minutes long and to introduce the group to the Detre Library & Archives, who we are, what we do, what types of material we have in our collection, and how to access these materials. This experience can be customized based on your group’s topical interest(s), level of research experience, and other needs. Confirmation of virtual or offsite experiences is subject to staff availability and capacity.
If your group will be conducting hands-on research, please search the online catalog in advance to identify books, documents, photographs, films, and audio recordings relevant to your interests before your visit.