For more information about The local history collections at the Dayton Metro Library, call 937.463.2665 and ask for The Dayton Room, or email history@DaytonMetroLibrary.org.
THE DAYTON ROOM at the Main Library houses more than 200 years of historical materials about Dayton, Montgomery County and the Miami Valley area. The Collection includes books, photographs, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, maps, manuscripts, postcards, videos and more. Many of our historic images can also be found in Dayton Remembers, our online digital image database. Flatbed and cradle scanners in The Dayton Room are available to help you digitize your own family documents, photos and history. The Dayton Room is located on the 2nd Floor of the Main Library.
Ancestry - (Only available in Library locations.)
Dayton Daily News 1898-1922
Dayton Daily News 1990-Present
Dayton Obituary and Genealogy Database
Dayton Remembers: Image Collection
Fold3
Heritage Quest
Ohio Death Certificate Index
Ohio Memory
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
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Learn About Local History
Mr. McQuinn joined the Dayton Metro Library in 1998, and he has managed the Special Collections Division since 2001. He has served in both public and academic libraries in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. He earned his Master of Library and Information Studies at the University of Michigan. Jamie enjoys reading biography, history, and historical fiction along with science fiction and fantasy titles. He is also active in Dayton community theatre and board gaming groups.
The Dayton Room employs a diverse staff that includes a Local History Specialist, Genealogy, Archives and Government Information Librarians, as well as skilled full and part-time support staff. The Dayton Room staff are happy to provide assistance with research in Dayton history and genealogy, as well as providing access to historical photographs, journals, magazines and newspapers. Computers and microfilm scanners are among the tools available for your research.
The Special Collections Division collects genealogy and historical materials for Dayton, Montgomery County and the Miami Valley Region. More than 150 years of Dayton newspapers are available on microfilm and the Library has been a Federal Document Depository for more than 100 years. Special Collections staff offer programs on Genealogy and Dayton historical topics at branches throughout the system as well as community and school groups. The Division partners with organizations such as Montgomery County Genealogical Society, the University of Dayton, and Wright State University to offer programs and services of value to researchers.
Dayton Room Features