Archives

The City of St. John's Archives is a division of the Office of the City Clerk and is available by appointment for research purposes.

The Archives was formally established in 1989 to preserve and make accessible the enduring records of the municipal government. Initially located in City Hall, it moved to 495 Water Street (the former Riverhead Train station) in 2003 and to its current location at 15 Terra Nova Road in 2017.

 
Holdings
Donations
View by appointment  

 
Holdings

Archives is responsible for the records management program for City departments, collection management of the City’s Fine Art Collection and providing research services to City Departments and the general public. 

Access to certain material in the City of St. John's Archives is governed by Federal, Provincial and Municipal privacy laws.

Archives holdings include:

  • Municipal Records
The administrative and operational records of the City of St. John’s, including the records of former municipalities that amalgamated with the City. Most of this information is post 1892, but some pre Great Fire material has survived.
  •  Community Records
Archives also collects material relating to St. John's persons, businesses, community groups and general material on the history of St. John's. View our Guide to the Holdings.
  •  Architectural Drawings
Architectural plans for commercial buildings predominately date from the 1960’s. Our holdings are not as extensive for residential properties.
  •  Images
Archives has an extensive collection of photographic material dating from the 1860’s and a limited collection of historic sketches dating from the 1830’s.  
  •  Maps
General map collection dates from the 1830’s.

 
 
 
Donations
Archives accepts donations from the private sector of materials relating to the history of St. John's. Contact us if you have material you wish to donate.
 
 
View by appointment
The Archives is open to the public by appointment only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

 

Location:
F. Burnham Gill Archival Centre
15 Terra Nova Road
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 908
St. John's, NL
A1C 5M2
Telephone: 709-576-8167
Email: archives@stjohns.ca