Collections

The Nabb Research Center houses over 15,000 documents, photographs and artifacts from the Colonial era through the present day. The Center is a remarkable resource for understanding the people and places of the Eastern Shore and all of Delmarva. In addition, the Center is home to the Salisbury University Archives and Special Collections. The University Archives preserves the collective memory of Salisbury University, from its founding in 1925 to the present; and Special Collections feature collections documenting national and international history.

Archival collections will search for manuscript and photographic record finding aids. Collection catalog will allow you to search for three-dimensional objects and digitized photographs as well as archival materials. This catalog does not encompass all the materials housed at the center, we are continuing to add materials regularly.

Resources are available on site upon request.

Resources

Archival Collections

The archives of the Nabb Research Center encompass a diverse group of historical collections found in the Local History Archives, University Archives, and Special Collections. These primary sources offer researchers a glimpse into the past lives of people in the Chesapeake region and beyond. Our Finding Aid Portal provides descriptions of the Nabb Research Center’s archival collections, as well as their affiliated artifacts, to help facilitate access to the materials.

Collections are non-circulating and may be used in our research room located on the 4th floor of the Guerrieri Academic Commons. For questions please contact us at nabbcenter@salisbury.edu
Search our finding aid portal
Books and Microfilm
Our non-circulating collection contains over 9,000 books and published materials. While the focus of our library is the history and culture of Delmarva and its families, our published materials stretch beyond our borders and include United States history, military and government history, decorative arts, exploration, Native American history, and religion.

This Special Collections Microfilm Guide lists the extensive microfilm and CD special collections the Nabb Research Center has available in our Reading Room. This collection is divided into the following broad research categories:
- African-American Studies
- Ante-bellum Period thru Civil War Period
- Census
- Colonial Period thru Revolutionary Period
- Economic Records (ledgers, journals, etc.)
- Family History
- Newspapers
- Native American
- Religion / Church Records
- Twentieth Century
In addition to the above, we have a large collection of microfilm consisting of government, church, and newspaper records relating to our main areas of interest: the states (or colonies) of Delaware (Kent & Sussex Counties), Maryland (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, & Worcester Counties) and Virginia (Accomack & Northampton Counties). We do have some assorted films from other counties. Locator guide of microfilm on hand, varying by state and county and dates available, includes:
- Chancery Court
- Church records
- Debt Books
- Judicial Records
- Land Records and Deeds
- Maryland State Papers (black, red, brown, & blue books)
- Newspapers
- Order books
- Orphans Court and Guardian Accounts
- Probate records (Wills, Administration Accounts, Administrations Bonds, Inventories)
- Tax lists
- Vital Records
- Warrants & Surveys
Digital Collections
- Enduring Connections: Enduring Connections: a long-term digital humanities project that features a searchable database for finding meaningful connections within digitized and transcribed sources, such as censuses, certificates of freedom, church records, newspapers, ledgers, and oral histories that illuminate the history of Black communities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (and beyond) across the Delmarva Peninsula.
- Internet Archive: A variety of selected digital items from the collections at the Nabb Research Center, including yearbooks, genealogical publications, transcriptions, and more.
- Flickr: Images from the photograph collections in the Local History Archives, Salisbury University Archives and Special Collections.
- YouTube: Historic film and video from the archives at the Nabb Research Center.
- SOAR@SU: digital archive that provides public online access to historic Eastern Shore newspapers, items from the Salisbury University archives, Special Collections and Local History Archives.
- Digital Maryland: Selections from the photograph collections of Orlando V. Wootten and Walter C. Thurston, Jr. in the Local History Archives, documenting the people and places of Maryland’s Eastern Shore during the mid-20^th century.
Franklin P. Perdue Museum of Business and Entrepreneurship
The Franklin P. Perdue Museum of Business and Entrepreneurship provides a unique opportunity for visitors and students to study the core values and philosophies of Arthur, Frank and Jim Perdue within a framework of the business models Perdue Farms has followed over a century and three generations of family ownership.
- The Perdue Museum is located in SU’s Perdue Hall, located off U.S. Business Route 13.
  - Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.
  - Parking: Lots B & C - parking map
- Digital Archives Search
More information: 410-548-5391 or PerdueMuseum@salisbury.edu
Reference Collections
At-Home Activities
- Jigsaw puzzles made from images and graphics from our collections
- Coloring book of Cuban leaf impressions drawn in 1865 from our Special Collections

Collection Highlight

We are currently collecting materials for our COVID-19 Archival Collection.

Learn More

Contact Information

Nabb Research Center Guerrieri Academic Commons (4th Floor, Room 430)